Press release:

The Annual Community Food and Toy Drive for Des Moines and Federal Way has kicked into high gear.

Firefighters are asking once again for your help and generosity. The need will be more significant this year with the downturn of the economy.

Citizens may drop off donations of canned food or dry goods, new unwrapped toys (no stuffed animals please) or money at any South King Fire & Rescue Fire Station between Saturday, December 1st and Friday, December 21st. Donations of cash or checks made out to the “Community Food and Toy Drive” will also be collected. Delivery of food and toys is set for Saturday December 22nd.

The Annual Community Food & Toy Drive started in the 1980s with retired Fire Chief ML “Bud” Thorson and local community service clubs. When the program first started they were only able to help about 30 families.

Since that time, thanks to the continuing assistance and generosity of local service clubs, private businesses and neighborhood groups the program has grown.

In 2011 the Annual Community Food and Toy Drive provided a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and a week’s supply of food to 130 families and presents for 450 children.

Committee members make the rounds throughout the month and gather all the donations at Station 67 for sorting, wrapping and distribution. The money is used to purchase turkeys, supplement grocery items for each family, and provide the children with at least two wrapped gifts.

Committee members credit the Des Moines and Federal Way service clubs, schools, private businesses, neighborhood groups, and individuals for the success of this yearly drive. “Without the community’s support and generosity, we wouldn’t be able to provide for those families truly in need of a bright Christmas,” said Fire Department Captain Kevin Crossen, long-time Food and Toy Drive Committee Coordinator.

Past long time sponsors have been the Kiwanis Club of Federal Way, the Noon Lions, members from the Greater Federal Way Kiwanis, Federal Way Rotary Club, Gai’s Bakery, Federal Way High School, Decatur High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, Todd Beamer High School, Twin Cedars Mobile Home Park, South King Fire & Rescue Firefighters Foundation, Des Moines Lions and Rotary Clubs, Wilcox Dairy, Score Board Pub, Wal-Mart, Winco, and Baden Sports.

Each year they commit time, money, food, gifts, energy or other resources to the Drive. In addition there are many, many unnamed individuals who donate their time, food, gifts, and money to this worthy program.

South King Fire & Rescue Fire Stations are located at:
2238 S 223rd St. -Station 67 (Des Moines)
3203 South 360th St. -Station 61
31617 1st Ave. South -Station 62 (Headquarters)
33414 21st Ave. South -Station 63
3700 South 320th St. -Station 44
4966 South 298th St. -Station 65
27010 15th Ave. South -Station 66