DECEMBER 30, 2015

SFD wraps 2015 Toy Drive

Scottsdale Fire Department wrapped its 2015 Toy Drive with more than 15,000 toys collected throughout November and December.

“Our community is very generous,” says Scottsdale Executive Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Freeburg. “Our drive has been able to provide gifts to about 1,000 different families through our partner agencies.”

Toys were collected at each of Scottsdale’s fire stations, police district offices, Public Safety Headquarters, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, Grimaldis, Fifth and Wine, Camelback CrossFit, Club Sar, and Scottsdale Fashion Square (sponsored by Monster Jam).

The department also received toys from drives by Scottsdale Gymnastic and Trampoline, cStor, Chaparral High School, Kaibab Animal Hospital, PetSmart, Discount Tire, CrossFit North Scottsdale, and Berkshire Hathaway Home. A1 Garage Doors donated $500 in gift cards. Neighborhood groups and Girl Scout troops also rallied for those less fortunate.

Scottsdale Fire also hosted the annual Ride for Toys event at Target on Frank Lloyd Wright and the Loop 101 on Dec. 5, offering the chance to ride in a firetruck in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy.

“The parents love the Ride for Toys event as much as the kids do,” says Freeburg. “We appreciate Target for providing space for the event year after year.”

Agencies receiving these donations this year include:

· Paiute Neighborhood Center

· HonorHealth at Shea, Osborn and Thompson Peak

· Crisis Nursery Arizona

· Arizona Helping Hands

· Cardon Children’s Medical Center

· Family Promise

· Chrysalis

· Florence Crittenden of Arizona

· Gila River Indian Community

SFD volunteers donated hours each day to collect the toys and distribute the toys to the agencies.

“Without their help, this program would be challenging to manage,” Freeburg says. “It really is a team approach to connect the dots and help those in need.”