Morrison, IL, firefighters prepare for Christmas in the month of November during the Morrison Fire Department “Caring for Our Community” toy drive. Generous Community members help, by donating toys or money to purchase them. Annually, Morrison Fire Department distributes toys to local school children in need. Families are eligible if they have children who attend school in the Morrison School District and are presently enrolled in the free lunch program. Additional recipients may be those who are unemployed or live in unemployed households, as determined on a case-by-case basis.
In 2020, 34 families qualified for toy donations, and 76 children were recipients. In 2021, 32 families qualified, and 79 children were recipients.
During a drive-through, toy drop-off event on Saturday, December 4, the citizens and businesses supported the Caring for Our Community tradition. Ten days later, Tuesday, December 14, wrapping began by Fire Department staff; family members; six Cub Scout Pack 328 boys and girls and leaders; other volunteers, who wrapped a plethora of donated or purchased gifts. They placed several gifts for individual children into sturdy paper bags, then put them into a larger bag–marked with a number to identify the family and order of delivery. Handles of the interior bags were tied together, to make certain they all arrived at the correct home.
Cub Scouts “had a successful night,” as first time helpers. “We had a discussion to continue doing this next year,” reported leaders Marshall and Hillary Blevins. Jennifer White stated, “They were a great help.” MFD Toy Drive Chair Jamie White, wife Jennifer, and their children, Evan and Avery, prepared wrapping stations for community volunteers.
On Friday, December 17, families were visited by Santa Team 1 and Santa Team 2. Each team was accompanied by a helpful elf. At 6:00 p.m., Engines 3 and 4, two personal pickup trucks, and Jamie White’s pickup and trailer of toys departed the Fire Station, splitting into “town” and “rural” routes.
Delivery usually takes about three hours, with pressure to beat 8:30 bedtimes.
To be time-efficient, volunteers ride along and gather presents in the trailer for the next family, while Santa, Mrs. Claus, and an Elf visit with each family.
Photographs are taken; children ask questions and receive a candy cane.
After completing the rural route, that Engine comes to meet the town truck. The “rural” Clauses pick up the tail end of the City list of homes and finish deliveries.
Morrison Fire Department is a caring, selfless group that brings joy to many local children!
