Help Violet Fire Give to Local Families

December 1, 2021
by Zoey Moore, Pickerington Online Intern
& Eighth Grader at Ridgeview Junior High

For more than 25 years, the Violet Township Fire Department (VTFD) has been giving to the community through a toy drive each holiday season. Every year the department assists roughly 2,000 children or 1,000 families in the Pickerington community. For many of us it is hard to imagine a Christmas morning with no gifts, so it is important to help those in need.

During this event, citizens can help by bringing brand-new, unwrapped toys to the lobbies of Violet Township Fire Station 591 (21 Lockville Road) and Station 592 (8700 Refugee Road) between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm. The fire department is also taking donations of money to purchase additional toys and gift cards and cover expenses for the event.

In addition to the fire stations, red donation boxes have been set up throughout the town in public places like some schools and churches. (If your organization serves as a drop-off location, please email us at editor@pickeringtononline.com and we will add you to this article.)

On December 11 and 12 from 9 am to 3 pm Station 592 will also be hosting a drive thru drop off collection.

It is also possible to donate virtually through Target, and Paypal.

There is an Amazon Wish List as well. Items from the wish list include hygiene and grooming supplies, gift cards, electronics, books and sport equipment.

There are some recent changes to the donation system to accommodate COVID-19 protocols. Drop offs now must be 100% no-contact and masks must be worn at all times. The fire department will only be accepting brand-new toys that are still in their original packaging, gift cards and monetary donations. They are kindly asking that people don’t donate stuffed animals, used or secondhand items, homemade gifts, items not in their original packaging, and food gifts.

Gifts for preteens and teens are needed the most.

VTFD representative Thurman Rohrbaugh said that the department has never counted the toys they receive, “they typically fill an entire 30 x 40 foot room in storage tubs, on top of tables and stacked as high as most of our firefighters.”

If you know of a family in-need for the holidays, contact their school’s guidance counselor. Any valid donation will greatly help your community no matter the size of your donation. By recognizing that others are in need, you make a difference in our community.