GRANVILLE – The Granville Police and Fire Departments are hosting their annual Toys for Tots Drive on December 1 from Noon to 4 p.m. at the Granville Town Hall.
In past years, the event has been strictly for people in the community to drop off unwrapped toys for families in need for the holidays. This year, first responders want residents to stay a while and enjoy the events the two departments are offering to them.
“It’s going to be more of an actual event,” said Tim Rickis, a member of the Granville Fire Department. “We just want to give them something else to do.”
Crafts will be offered along with games for children. Santa will also be there to take pictures and light refreshments and food will be available. Rickis also pointed out that if the weather is good, they will open up the firehouse and allow the kids to see the fire trucks.
Members of the Granville Fire and Police Departments and a local marine are seen at a past Toys for Tots Drive. (Photo from Granville Fire Department)
Prior to the event on December 1, the police and fire departments are asking the community to donate an unwrapped toy.
“We’re looking to get our community to join us and be able to do something good,” said Rickis.
For last year’s Toys for Tots Drive, 265 toys were donated, along with $160 in donations.
“We want to try and beat that this year,” said Rickis.
The Toys for Toys Drive is a nationwide program that’s called “Stuff a Truck,” where local first responders partner up with U.S. Marines. The program was founded in 1947 by Marine Reserve Bill Hendricks and was focused on distributing toys to kids of families who are in need. On December 1, some Marines will come by with their own truck and load all of the toys onto their truck and deliver it to one of their local facilities.
Rickis believes that this event always brings people together during the holidays and is crucial for people to be a part of.
“It’s a really nice gesture,” said Rickis. “It’s a reminder that it’s the season of giving.”
