Toys for Joy returns to help those in need

For the Reporter

The Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority, Kent Firefighters Local 1747, and the Kent Firefighters Foundation are once again sponsoring and supporting the Toys for Joy program.

The annual event collects, sorts, wraps and delivers new and unwrapped toys to local food banks and outreach programs for distribution to needy families in the community. The program also will be working with the city of SeaTac to provide for its residents this year.

In addition to toys, nonperishable food and monetary donations are accepted.

According to organizers, this year has seen an upturn in the economy, but there are still many families in need. Some families have to dedicate their money to the basics in order to survive and do not have the finances to buy gifts during the holidays.

Toy wrapping parties are scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 9 and 18 and are open to the public.

Last year the public wrapped more than 6,000 gifts.

Toy collection barrels will be at the following locations beginning Monday:

• Fire Station 71, 504 West Crow St., downtown Kent
• Fire Station 72, 25620 140 Ave. S.E., East Hill of Kent
• Fire Station 73, 25612 Military Rd. S., West Hill of Kent
• Fire Station 74, 24611 116 Ave. S.E., East Hill of Kent
• Fire Station 75, 15635 S.E. 272 St., Lake Meridian (wrapping party location)
• Fire Station 76, 20676 72 Ave. S., North Kent Valley
• Fire Station 77, 20717 132 Ave. S.E., East Hill of Kent
• Fire Station 78, 17820 S.E. 256 St., Covington
• Centennial Building, 400 W. Gowe St., downtown Kent
• Fire Station 45, 2929 S. 200 St., SeaTac, South
• Fire Station 46, 3521 S. 170 St., SeaTac, Central
• Fire Station 47, 215 S. 152 St., SeaTac, North

The Toys for Joy program exists with the generous donations of local residents and businesses.

For further information on program and to get involved in a wrapping party, please call the Toys for Joy hotline at 253-856-4485 beginning Monday.