LYNN — The Fire Department is partnering with the United States Marine Corps Reserve to collect unwrapped toys for the annual Toys-for-Tots drive at all Fire Stations in the city until Dec. 20.
Lynn firefighter and former Marine Josh Echevarria said he took over for a colleague and is in his third year organizing the drive.
In years past, the fire stations have collected several boxes filled with toys, Echevarria said. Students at the Lynn English JROTC have already collected donations for this year’s drive.
“The main goal is to help children that might not have the same privileges as a lot of the kids here in the community and just making sure everyone has the same experience of being able to open up a gift on Christmas,” Echevarria said. “It’s all about the kids.”
As a former Marine and city firefighter, he said it is important for him to give back to the community.
Toys-for-Tots was started 77 years ago in Los Angeles, California when Marine Reservists distributed 5,000 toys to needy children on Christmas Eve 1947, according to the Fire Department’s Facebook post. Since 1947, 281,000,000 children throughout the United States have benefited from the donation of more than 627,000,000 toys.
The department does not have a goal for the number of toys, Echevarria said.
“Even one toy is good enough,” Echevarria said. “To be involved and raise awareness – that’s the goal itself.”
Residents can drop toys off at the fire stations at all times until Dec. 20 or at the drop-box at Lynn English.
