Kent-based Puget Sound Fire’s annual Toys for Joy program collected more than 6,000 toys and stocking suffers for about 1,500 children during its 2024 holiday drive.
Puget Sound Fire, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Puget Sound Firefighters Foundation led the drive that also collected 30 bicycles/scooters. In addition, 38 families were adopted to receive toys and a holiday meal basket, according to a Dec. 26 email from Puget Sound Fire spokesperson Pat Pawlak.
“We are grateful for the support we received for this program from the citizens and businesses that we serve,” Pawlak said.
Donations of toys and money were collected at all Puget Sound Fire stations. The agency’s response area includes Kent, Covington, Maple Valley, Tukwila and SeaTac.
Volunteers delivered toys to the Kent Food Bank, City of SeaTac, Maple Valley Food Bank, Tukwila Spirit of Giving, Vine Maple Place and Kent’s Appian Way Apartments.
“We would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Estes for providing the semi-truck and trailer for the toy delivery to the Kent Food Bank,” Pawlak said. “Their willingness to step forward and partner with us on this program is invaluable. We appreciate their continued partnership.”
Estes is a Richmond, Virginia-based freight transportation company, including a location in Auburn.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
Volunteers deliver toys to the Kent Food Bank as part of the annual Toys for Joy drive. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Volunteers help wrap and sort toys. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
