Firefighters gathering Toys for Tots
The Rome-Floyd County Fire Department is 78 toys short of 2,500 goal.
The Rome-Floyd County Fire Department is 78 toys short of its 2,500 goal.
Firefighters are making a goal this Christmas, but it’s going to take the community’s help to achieve it.
So far they’ve had the best reaction to their Toys for Tots drive at the RomeFloyd County Fire Department ever, but they could use just a little bit more.
“Thus far, we’ve received 2,422 donations since Monday,” said Amy Lowery, who has been coordinating the effort. “We are just 78 toys shy of our 2,500 goal.”
But Lowery says the donations aren’t just about reaching a goal.
“I like helping people and I especially like helping kids,” she said. “It has been neat to see the community response. We’ve gotten toys from big businesses and anonymous Amazon packages.”
Fire inspector Mary Catherine Chewning said Amy Lowery and Cpl. Keith Sheffield took a vested interested in reaching the goal.
“They definitely spearheaded this and got everyone into the holiday spirit,” Chewning said. “From getting trucks full of toys to stacking them in place around the tree here, they want to make sure kids get a gift, if they are in need.”
“There are a lot of kids that don’t have anything and we all work for the fire department because we like being there for people,” Sheffield said. “So when a kid gets a gift from the fire department on Christmas morning that makes this all worth it.”
Those wanting to donate are encouraged to drop off an unwrapped toy for children 12 years of age and under at any fire department station through Sunday. The fire department’s headquarters is located at 409 E. 12th St. For more information call 706-236-4500.