SALISBURY – Local firefighters are already getting into the holiday spirit and have officially begun their annual Toys for Tots collection.
For the fifth year, a storage container is temporarily located outside the fire station, allowing locals to participate in contactless toy donation.
Those interested in donating can stop by the container to drop off new, unwrapped toys that will be given to children in need.
Toys for Tots is a nonprofit run by the U.S. Marine Corps that collects and distributes toys to children in need. It was founded in 1947 by Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and his wife, Diane. The foundation itself was formed in 1991 at the behest of the Marine Corps to help run and support the Marine Toys for Tots Program. It raises funds, purchases toys, provides promotional and support materials, manages all funds raised and donated, solicits corporate support, educates the public, and handles day-to-day operations, according to its website.
According to Salisbury Fire Department Deputy Chief Andrew Murphy, the idea for contactless donations began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It started contactless during COVID. Toys for Tots was having a hard time collecting toys during COVID. So, we came up with an idea of getting a container dropped off at the fire station, where people can just pull up and drop it off,” he said.
Since then, the drive has taken off, with the department collecting hundreds of toys.
“We’ve collected hundreds of toys each time we’ve done this. The Marines are very happy with the amount of toys that they collect here. And, residents of Salisbury and around have been very generous. We’ve gotten bicycles, dollhouses, some really great toys for people in need,” Murphy said.
The storage container has been donated to the department each year by United Rentals, something Murphy said has been crucial to the drive.
“United Rental donates the container to us. So, that’s a benefit, because it doesn’t cost us anything. So, they donate it for a month to us and it just seems to be working,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Jacob Nash, Toys for Tots coordinator for Essex and Middlesex Counties, said contributions like those from the Salisbury Fire Department’s drive are impactful for the organization.
“It’s very helpful. It’s a huge help to the program,” he said.
Nash said Toys for Tots served over 100,000 children in the two counties last year. This year, 80 organizations made requests for over 40,000 children within two days of request form opening on Nov. 1.
“There’s a great need for toys out there,” he said.
The container was placed outside the fire station last week, and will remain there until about two weeks before Christmas to allow Toys for Tots to collect the donations.
Those interested in donating can do so from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily outside the Lafayette Road station.