The Kent Fire Department reported more than 5,000 gifts were delivered to 2,100 children through the 2009 Toys for Joy program.

New and unwrapped toys are collected for children in need each holiday season. The toys are sorted at a Kent fire station and wrapped before being delivered to the Kent Food Bank as well as other local organizations.

Toy barrels were set up at fire stations, Kent City Hall and the Centennial Building. Residents and businesses donated toys, food and money to help children whose parents could not afford gifts during the holidays. Because of the depressed economy, more people than ever before needed assistance.

Two wrapping parties were held at Fire Station 75. Local residents, school, church groups and service club members helped to wrap the gifts. More than 250 people attended the wrapping parties, which made the wrapping go quickly.

The Kent Fire Department, the Kent Firefighters Foundation, and Firefighters Local 1747 thanks all who donated, wrapped and helped deliver the toys. The department stated in a release the generosity of local residents and businesses is what allows the Toys for Joy program to be successful. The department added a special thanks to Door to Door Storage of Kent for their annual donation of portable storage units and to Bowen Scarff Ford for their continued support of the program.