It’s time for the annual toy drive by Puget Sound Fire. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire

It’s time for the annual toy drive by Puget Sound Fire. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire

Donations needed for Puget Sound Fire’s Toys for Joy program

New, unwrapped toys for children up to 12 years old

Toys for Joy and Jerry Woods Holiday Engine programs to provide food and toys for those in need during the holiday season are back again for 2023.

Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, Puget Sound Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 1747) and Kent Firefighters Foundation organize the annual event.

Toys for Joy is a program where new, unwrapped toys for children up to 12 years of age are collected, sorted, wrapped and delivered to local food banks and outreach programs for distribution to families in need in local communities within Puget Sound Fire’s response area.

In addition to toys, non-perishable food, and monetary donations (cash and checks made out to Toys for Joy) are also accepted and will go towards helping local families. Community members can drop off donations at any of Puget Sound Fire’s 17 fire stations. Donations will be collected through Dec. 20.

Puget Sound Fire will host community toy sorting and wrapping events at Station 75 in Kent throughout December to prepare the gifts for delivery to local food banks. These events are open to the public, and due to their popularity, reservations are required. For dates and reservation information, visit pugetsoundfire.org/toysforjoy.

The public can call the holiday program at 253-569-8835 or email toysforjoy@pugetsoundfire.org for more information about the Toys for Joy program.

The Jerry Woods Holiday Engine will be visiting several Maple Valley, Covington, and Kent neighborhoods Friday and Saturday evenings, Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16, and neighborhoods in SeaTac and Tukwila Sunday and Monday, Dec. 17 and 18. The engine will be collecting food, gifts, and monetary donations that will go to the local food banks for distribution. The Holiday Engine neighborhood schedule will be listed at holidayengine.org.

Community Support – The annual Toys for Joy and Holiday Engine programs only exist because of the generous donations of the local community. Historically, that generosity has been tremendous, and this year, we respectfully ask for the community’s continued support. A link to donate to Toys for Joy through the Kent Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 1747) website can be found at https://www.iaff1747.org.

Both programs will collect donations through Dec. 20 and then will focus on the distribution of the toys. In addition, the holiday programs will distribute food/gift baskets right before Christmas to approximately 30 families in need.

Puget Sound Fire operates 17 fire stations and is responsible for providing service to a population of more than 260,000 in an area covering 120 square miles.


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 http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=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.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property