Scottsdale Fire Department Kicks Off Annual Toy Drive

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — The Scottsdale Fire Department has kicked off its annual toy drive a few days early this year.

The department said in a news release that the early start date will hopefully allow for more donations to local kids in need, especially during a pandemic that has increased need for so many families.

"These donations help make the holiday season a little brighter for many families, especially this year with the challenges of the pandemic," Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon said in a statement. “We appreciate the generosity of this community!”

All Scottsdale fire stations and headquarters will be accepting unwrapped toys and gift cards from now until Dec. 22. The department also put together a list of toy ideas broken down by age group and gender.

The donations will be distributed to several of the fire department's partner organizations who serve families in need. Every year, about 15,000 toys are collected through the toy drive, serving well over 1,000 families in the area, according to the news release. The organizations include the Paiute Neighborhood Center, HonorHealth at Shea, Osborn and Thompson Peak, Family Promise, Arizona Helping Hands and the Arizona Burn Foundation.

Scottsdale Fire has also asked anyone with an organization or company that would like to collect toys for the holidays to send an email to fire@scottsdaleaz.gov. For more information, call 480-312-8000 or visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov.