Toys for Tots Drive Underway

The once again has begun its annual Toys for Tots campaign. 

The OFPD will work in conjunction with , , Bednarcik and junior highs, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to collect toys for needy area children this holiday season.

"We are working to ensure that children in our area have a toy during this holiday season," said Lt. John Cornish. "This year is more important than ever, with respect to the current economic times."

All four Oswego firehouses will be collection sites for the drive, and new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any time. The toys will be distributed by the Oswegoland Optimist Club.

The drive will also include collection at each of the junior highs and includes a raffle for each student that donates. Ten winners from each school will be chosen as elves for a day on Dec. 16.

The elves will load all they toys onto firetrucks and transported to fire station No. 1. There they will unload and sort the toys. Breakfast will be served with firefighters and the students will receive a tour of the station and a chance to relax after all their hard work, Cornish said.

Last year's drive yielded 1,912 toys. 

• Fire Station One, 3511 Woolley Road Oswego
• Fire Station Two, 2200 Weisbrook Drive, Oswego
• Fire Station Three, 2200 Galena Road, Montgomery
• Fire Station Four, 27100 127th Street, Plainfield