The Kent Regional Fire Authority, Kent Firefighters Local 1747, and the Kent Firefighters Foundation announced the 2016 kick-off of the Toys for Joy program that supports the less fortunate in the community.

The program is an annual event where new, unwrapped toys are collected, sorted, wrapped, and delivered to local food banks and outreach programs for distribution to needy families in our community. In addition to toys, nonperishable food and monetary donations are also accepted.

According to a release from the fire authority, there has seen an upturn in the economy this year, but there are still many families in need. Some families have to dedicate their money to the basics in order to survive and do not have the ability to buy gifts during the holidays. The Toys for Joy program was created to help these local families.

Toy wrapping parties are scheduled at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 and 19 and are open to the public. Last year the public wrapped more than 6,000 gifts.

Toy collection barrels will be at the following locations:

• Fire Station 71 504 West

Crow St. Downtown Kent

• Fire Station 72 25620 140

Ave. S.E. East Hill of Kent

• Fire Station 73 25612

Military Rd. S. West Hill

of Kent

• Fire Station 74 24611 116

Ave. S.E. East Hill of Kent

• Fire Station 75 15635 S.E.

272 St. Lake Meridian

• Fire Station 76 20676 72

Ave. S. North Kent Valley

• Fire Station 77 20717 132

Ave. S.E. East Hill of Kent

• Fire Station 78 17820 S.E.

256 St. Covington

• Centennial Building 400

W. Gowe St. Downtown

Kent

• Fire Station 45 2929 S.

200 St. SeaTac – South

• Fire Station 46 3521 S.

170 St. SeaTac – Central

• Fire Station 47 3215

S. 152 St. SeaTac – North

Caldwell Bank Kent

Station downtown Kent

For further information on the Toys for Joy program and to get involved in a wrapping party, call the Toys for Joy Hotline at 253-856-4485 beginning today.