Fire Department Toy Drive Kicks Off

The annual Fire Department Community Toy Drive is kicking off once again, and unfortunately the demand for toys is at an all-time high. Firefighters will be taking off their fire helmets and putting on the classic red Santa Claus hat in an effort to help every local child have a Merry Christmas.

Fire Department Toy Drive Coordinators expect the demand to exceed seven hundred local children who will need assistance this year. As in the past to help these efforts donations of a new, unwrapped toy can be brought to either the Forest Grove or Cornelius Fire Stations between now and Christmas.

The firefighters are grateful that they have also received support and help from local businesses and groups this year. In addition to the donation bins located at the Forest Grove and Cornelius Fire Stations, you can also make donations at many local downtown Forest Grove businesses. Those businesses are Pac Thai, Tip Top Spa, John L. Scott Realty, Pizza Schmizza, Stephanie Lommen Attorney at Law, The Friendly Vine (formerly The Wine Behren) or Ballad Town Billiards. Cornelius businesses such as the Cornelius City Hall, Cornelius Chamber of Commerce, Walgreens, Basco's Burgers and Grande Foods will have donation bins also.

Our firefighters work hard to make certain that donations to the Firefighter's Toy Drive stay in our community helping local children receive new toys during this Holiday Season. Our firefighters work with local non-profits, churches, and other groups and individuals to provide toys for the Holiday Basket programs. Firefighters will also be collecting nonperishable foods to help those families in need. Food donations can be made at the fire station donation bins. The Forest Grove Main Fire Station is located at 1919 Ash Street in Forest Grove; the Cornelius Fire Station is located at 1311 N. Barlow Street in Cornelius. If you have any questions please feel free to contact your local fire station. Forest Grove Fire & Rescue can be reached at 503-992-3240; Cornelius Fire Department can be reached at 503-357-3840.

For families that are needing assistance for the holidays, the fire departments have an application period in which to sign-up for help. This time period will be open from Monday, November 23rd through Friday, December 11th. Those needing help can either stop by their community fire station or call them; locations and numbers are listed above.