Waxahachie Fire Department collecting toys for Forgotten Angels
- Charity Fitch
- Aug 9, 2023
- 3 min read
The Waxahachie Fire Department’s annual toy drive has begun and will accept donations until Dec. 16.
The toy drive benefits the Forgotten Angels, those families who weren’t registered by the deadline to participate in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. In the past, toy drive coordinator Julio Hernandez said they have helped from 50 to 100 families each year. Signup for the toy drive can only be completed at the Salvation Army located at 602 Farley St.
The drive is collecting toys for children ages 0-14 years old. Toys must be new and unwrapped, and stuffed animals are not accepted. Hernandez said they usually see a lack of toys or gifts for the older youth.
“We get a ton of donations for younger kids, but the older kids are difficult to get toys for,” he said. “I recommend board games, books, things they can tinker with. I usually ask my nieces and nephews what they enjoy these days.”
All the fire stations and the fire administration building are serving as donation sites for the toys. To drop off a toy, simply ring the doorbell or knock on the door, and a firefighter will be there to receive it.
Monetary donations by cash or check are also appreciated. Checks must be made out to the Waxahachie Fire Department and have “Toys for Kids” written in the memo. These funds are placed in an account dedicated to the toy drive. Hernandez said he goes to Walmart and buy additional toys, usually for the older kids, with the funds available in the account.
As a rookie, Hernandez started helping with the toy drive and has been the coordinator for about 10 years now and said it is something that means a lot to him.
“I grew up not having a lot,” he said. “I remember having Christmases where somebody bought us gifts. Going up and talking to people and handing out gifts the day of the distribution is very gratifying and rewarding to be able to help the community in this way.”
During the drive, Hernandez stops by each station about every three days to empty out the toy boxes to make room for more donations. He takes the toys to the Salvation Army for sorting and preparation for distribution day Dec. 17, where he and other firefighters help sort and hand out toys.
“Salvation Army takes their whole gym and sets up tables, and there will be a sheet of paper that will say boys 5 to 7 or boys 8 to 11,” Hernandez said. “I tell our guys, ‘All right, go shopping for him.’ ”
Each sack is typically filled with two to three toys and then given to the family.
Firefighters on shift as well as off-duty firefighters and their families stop by the Salvation Army throughout the day to help with distribution the 17th.
“The city of Waxahachie, the citizens, are amazing,” Hernandez said. “They’re always there to help, and the toy drive has always been very popular and successful. It wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Firefighters will collect toys at the front entrances of Walmart, 1200 N. U.S. Highway 77 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
Drop off a toy at Station No. 1 at 408 W. Main St., Station No. 2 at 1601 Cleaver St., Station No. 3 at 200 YMCA Drive, or the fire administration building at 407 Water St. For any questions related to the drive, call the Salvation Army at 972-937-7727 or visit its offices at 620 Farley St.
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