Reading firefighters conducted their annual toy drive to benefit local families in need.
It was the 15th year the firefighters have conducted the Christmas drive, which concluded Dec. 15 with the annual toy-drive breakfast at Trooper Thorn’s Irish Beef House along Route 10.
Guests at the breakfast were invited to donate toys that were added to those bought the previous night with money the firefighters raised through sales of toy-drive T-shirts and donations.
This year, for some reason, people were extremely generous, helping the firefighters raise more than $19,000, said Lt. Jason B. Batz, training officer with the department.
The firefighters, some with their children, went on a massive shopping spree at Target in Exeter Township, using the donated money to buy children’s gifts that were turned over to the Salvation Army of Reading, which in turn will provide them to help families in need give Christmas gifts to their children.
“It’s insane, what happened this year,” Batz said soon after a group of firefighters delivered the toys. “This has been the highest year ever. People really came through.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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