FREDERICKTOWN — Firefighters from the Fredericktown Community Fire District gathered on Monday night to move the annual toy drive to the distribution point.
For the past 11 years the firefighters association has worked with the Fredericktown Area Interchurch in order to brighten the Christmas season for area families. The toy drive, sponsored by the firefighters association has no ties to a national or regional program.
Working through Inter Church, the group purchased toys using non-identifying information presented by the social organization to help in selecting toys. Over the weekend the firefighters and their families shopped for 116 local children who will benefit from local charity.
The toy drive from the start has been a completely volunteer effort and involves everyone from chiefs, officers, line firefighters, fire cadets, right down to their own families being involved with the process. Funded through donations and the poinsettia fundraiser, this philanthropy project created by members of the firefighters association relies on the support of the community.
The drive operates with no overhead, only a labor of love.
If you missed your opportunity to donate this Christmas, firefighters ramp up preparations for this event yearly in the late fall.
The Fredericktown Community Fire District operates from two stations within the 115 square-mile district in northwest Knox County.
Fire and rescue services are provided by a team of 25 firefighters with varying levels of experience from the basic 36-hour to the 240-hour professional firefighter certification.
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