Once again, Kent Fire/Fire District 37, Kent Firefighters Local 1747 and the Kent Firefighters Foundation will organize and support the Toys for Joy program.

Toys for Joy is an annual event where new, unwrapped toys are collected, sorted, wrapped and delivered to the Kent Food Bank for distribution to needy families in our community. A portion of the toys will also be donated to other local food banks. Nonperishable food will also be accepted.

Unfortunately, 2009 has seen a continuation of an economic downturn that has devastated not only Western Washington, but the entire country. This means that there are more people than ever that need assistance. The Toys for Joy program was designed to allow adults to provide gifts to their children that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

Toy collection barrels will be at the following locations beginning Nov. 30:

• Fire Station 78, 17820 S.E. 256 St., Covington;

• Fire Station 71, 504 West Crow St., downtown Kent;

• Fire Station 72, 25620 140 Ave. S.E., East Hill of Kent;

• Fire Station 73, 25612 Military Rd. S., West Hill of Kent;

• Fire Station 74, 24611 116 Ave. S.E., East Hill of Kent;

• Fire Station 75, 15635 S.E. 272 St., Lake Meridian (wrapping party location);

• Fire Station 76, 20676 72 Ave. S., north Kent Valley;

• Fire Station 77, 20717 132 Ave. S.E., East Hill of Kent;

• Kent City Hall, 220 4 Ave. S., downtown Kent and

• Centennial Building, 400 W. Gowe St., downtown Kent.

The Toys for Joy program can only exist with the generous donations and support of local residents and businesses. Over the years, that generosity has been tremendous. This year, because of the economy, we need more help than ever before.

The program organizers issued a special thank you to Door to Door Storage of Kent for their continued support over many years and the loan of the containers to store the toys.

For information on the Toys for Joy program and to get involved in a wrapping party call the Toys for Joy hotline at 253-856-4485.