Firefighters collecting toys for needy kids

The Vancouver Volunteer Firefighters Association is working to continue a 21-year tradition of delivering food and toy baskets to needy families this holiday season.

Economic hard times are making donations harder to come by, though the need is greater than ever. The 25 members of the volunteers association want to get baskets to at least 25 families this year.

Non-perishable goods, especially high-protein foods such as peanut butter and canned meat and fish, are especially welcome. So are baby foods, paper products, soap, toiletries and unwrapped gifts for people of all ages. Toy donations should be new and in the original manufacturers’ packaging. No holiday wrapping on toys, please.

Nonperishable goods can be dropped off in collection barrels at any Vancouver fire station and several other local business sites. Here’s a complete list:

• Downtown fire station, 900 W. Evergreen Blvd.

• Westside fire station, 400 E. 37th St.

• Heights, 1110 N. Devine Road.

• Sifton fire station, 6701 N.E. 147 Ave.

• Walnut Grove fire station, 7110 N.E. 63rd St.

• Orchards-Burton fire station, 3216 N.E. 112 Ave.

• Glenwood fire station, 12603 N.E. 72nd Ave.

• Cascade Park fire station, 213 N.E. 120th Ave.

• Fisher’s Landing fire station, 17408 S.E. 15th St.

• Firstenburg Community Center, 700 N.E. 136th Ave.

• Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.

• Vancouver Tennis Center, 5300 E. 18th St.

• Shanahan’s, 209 W. McLoughlin Blvd.

• N.W. Adhesives, 6013 N.E. 127th Ave.

• Vancouver School of Arts & Academics, 3101 Main St.

Five Gentle Dental locations:

• 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive.

• 7725 N.E. Highway 99.

• 322 S.E. 192nd Ave.

• 12503 S.E. Mill Plain Road.

• 1710 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground.

The last day you can donate to the effort is Dec. 18. Money donations are welcome and will be used to buy perishable goods. Make checks out to VFD Volunteer Firefighters’ Association and mail to Vancouver Fire Department, 7110 N.E. 63rd St., PO Box 1995, Vancouver, WA 98668-1995. Call 360-487-7212 or 360-601-4068 with questions.