NFD Still Seeking Donations for Toy and Food Drive in 45th Year

As you are checking off your Christmas lists this season, don’t forget Noblesville Fire Department, which is accepting donations of food and toys for the 45th annual Christmas Food and Toy Drive through this Friday.

“So far, donations are coming in a little slower than years past,” said NFD division chief and public information officer Trevor Hash.

So what items do they still need?

“While we would be extremely grateful for any donation, gift items for teens and preteens would be greatly appreciated,” he said.

Hash’s suggestions for teen gifts include curling irons, blow dryers, makeup, personal hygiene gift sets for boys and girls, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, school supplies, mittens, gloves, scarves, winter hats, large candy bars, chewing gum and any other items that would be good gifts for teens.

And, of course, NFD is always in need of canned food and nonperishable items. “The most popular canned food items are always corn and green beans, and this year is no exception,” he said.

While he said donations seem to be a little slower than years past at the fire station drop-off sites, he said, “We will know more when we start picking up from Noblesville Schools and local businesses closer to the (Dec. 17) delivery date.”

Hash said, “We usually try to fill two large boxes with canned goods, one box with dry goods and one with items that need to be refrigerated that we pick up from Kroger the morning of the delivery.”

Sifting through and organizing donations for delivery day is a lot of work but NFD loves to do the food and toy drive.

“Members of the NFD sort the food items as they come in, then we set up numbered boxes and distribute it to each family,” Hash said. The gifts are organized by age for the children by both NFD personnel and staff of the Public Safety Building.

“Most of the department is involved in some way. Each station is a collection point and those crews bring the food and toys into Station 71, where it is organized for delivery,” Hash said.

The delivery list is organized by neighborhood and NFD members and their families load trucks, vans and trailers to deliver the food and toys, he said.

What’s the best part about NFD’s food and toy drive?

“For four and a half decades, the Noblesville Fire Department has had the honor of delivering food and toys on behalf of the generous citizens and businesses of Noblesville,” said Noblesville Fire Chief Matt Mitchell. “We truly appreciate the opportunity to impact families in our community around the holidays with the assistance of our residents.”

During the food and toy drive, the fire department accepts canned goods; non-perishable food items; new, unwrapped toys; and monetary donations. Monetary donations can be made by 1) mailing a check to NFD; 135 S. 9th St., Noblesville, IN 46060 (checks made payable to the NFD Hamilton County Community Foundation), or 2) making a secure online donation through the Central Indiana Community Foundation (cicf.org/giving/give-now/existing-fund/) donor portal. If making an online donation, please type in “Noblesville Firefighters Fund” under the Fund Name section.

Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.