Firefighter toy drive in need of bikes, board games

By: Kristen Kennedy - Email

Updated: Tue 11:56 PM, Dec 11, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - It's a Christmas tradition that goes back decades. Every year, Lexington's Fraternal Order of Firefighters collects toys for less fortunate children. Firefighters say they need a lot more help to make sure the 1,200 children signed up for the program receive gifts this year. The number of new families on the list to get gifts is at an all-time high.

"We had a lot of people come in this year that admitted they're normally the donors. They normally help us out, or normally on the other side of that table helping out. And this year they're kinda in need of assistance," explains Lexington Firefighter John Durr.

"I think they would be very surprised that they may be helping somebody like their neighbor. And I helped out with the sign ups, I saw their people come in, I know where they live, and they're coming from neighborhoods that we wouldn't expect."

The items firefighters are still looking for are bicycles. They're hoping to fill up a whole corner of the warehouse with them by Saturday. Other items they need more of by Saturday include board games and arts and crafts kits.

"Anything like crayons, coloring books, children's books," says Durr.

Firefighters at all fire stations in Lexington are accepting gifts up until Saturday morning.

Powerball jackpot closing in on another record