Firefighters for Families adopt families in need

St. Johns County Fire Rescue and Firefighters for Families are gearing up for their annual “Wonder of the Holidays” toy and donation drive and they need help from Historic City News readers.

Each year, Firefighters for Families receives a list of families from the St. Johns County School District that meet adoption criteria. Members of Firefighters for Families then spend the month of December shopping, sorting and wrapping hundreds of presents for these children and families.

When a family is adopted, parents are asked to fill out a wish list for each family member. Firefighters for Families then attempts to match specific gifts with each child; additionally outfitting them with essential clothing items, schools supplies, educational games, a holiday meal and a supply of non-perishable food items.

This year, Firefighters for Families has been asked to adopt 100+ St. Johns County Families in need. This is a huge increase over last year’s program, however, Firefighters for Families and St. Johns County Fire Rescue is looking forward to working with the community and helping less fortunate families of St. Johns County.

How Can You Help?

From now until December 20th, Firefighters for Families will be accepting donations of new unwrapped toys as well as non-perishable food items at Fire Rescue Administration or any St. Johns County fire station.

If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, checks can be made out to Firefighters for Families and sent to St. Johns County Fire Rescue Administration 3657 Gaines Rd. St. Augustine, FL 32084.

You can partner with your neighborhood, office or business and adopt a specific family. This is a more personal option and if you go this route we will give you the family wish/needs list and your group can basically provide the needs for that specific family. If this sounds like an option for you please let us know and we can give you more details.

If you are not able to purchase an item or make a donation, you can still be a part of making the toy drive a success. We will be wrapping and sorting presents in the evenings and on weekends from now until December 20th, and we need present wrappers and sorters to make it happen. If you and/or your family are available we would love to have your help. For more information on the sorting and wrapping schedule you may contact St. Johns County Fire Rescue at (904) 209-1726.

Firefighters for Families is a 501(c) 3 of St. Johns County Fire Rescue supported solely by charitable contributions and donations primarily from the St. Johns County Community.