Fire departments start toy drive

The Iron County Fire Association will host its annual Christmas for Kids toy drive on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon.

All fire stations in Iron County will be open that day to receive donations for Iron County kids in need, said Iron County Emergency Services Director Stacey Ofstad.

“We want to help out area kids in need and see that every kid has a great Christmas,” said Ofstad. “We don’t want any kid waking up on Christmas morning without a present.”

Officials aren’t just collecting unwrapped toys, but other items for kids, as well, including art and craft supplies, books, puzzles, games, sleds, hunting and fishing items, socks, underwear, pajamas and gift cards for teens ($10-$25.)

The fire stations include Hurley, Montreal, Kimball, Oma, Mercer, Springstead, Upson and Saxon. Ofstad said he’ll pick up the items from there and they will be distributed before Christmas.

Ofstad said they’ve been doing this about 10 years across the county and a few years before that with just the Saxon-Gurney Fire Department.

Items may also be dropped off at Iron County Community Credit Union offices in Kimball and Mercer through Dec. 13.

For more information, call Ofstad at 715-561-3266, or 715-292-9912.

—Larry Holcombe