Houston Fire Department Launches Operation Stocking Stuffer Thursday: Toy Drive Kickoff at Fire Station 8, Donations Open Through December 10
The annual drive, presented by Shell, asks for new, unwrapped, gender-neutral toys at any Houston fire station through December 10. Distribution day is Saturday, December 12 at the Fonde Community Center - first come, first served, no registration.
Houston's firefighters open their holiday toy drive on Thursday morning. The Houston Fire Department hosts the kickoff for Operation Stocking Stuffer at 9 a.m. on November 12 at Fire Station 8, launching the annual collection that puts toys in the hands of children across the greater Houston area - with donations already being accepted at fire stations citywide.
'Operation Stocking Stuffer represents the very best of Houston. It is an opportunity for our community to come together, support families and help make the holiday season brighter for children who might otherwise go without,' Fire Chief Thomas Munoz said in the department's announcement. 'We encourage businesses, organizations, and individuals to join us in this effort. Every donation, no matter the size, can make a meaningful difference.' Assistant Fire Chief Richard Galvan, who is leading this year's effort, is asking businesses, schools, churches and community groups to register their own collection drives through the program's website.
The rules for giving are simple and specific. The drive takes new, unwrapped, gender-neutral toys for children of different ages; used toys and stuffed animals cannot be accepted. Drop-offs run at any HFD fire station through Thursday, December 10, and businesses hosting drives can deliver collections to 1801 Main Street, 7th Floor, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. through the same date. Anyone who would rather shop from home can buy through the program's Amazon Wish List, which ships directly to the collection site, or give money at osstoydrive.com. The program is presented by Shell.
Distribution day is already on the calendar: Saturday, December 12, at the Fonde Community Center, 110 Sabine Street, beginning at 8 a.m. Toys are handed out first come, first served while supplies last, and no registration is required. The drive's arithmetic is the reason for the early start - a month of collection stands between Thursday's kickoff and the Saturday morning when Houston families line up.
