By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
As the holiday season fast approaches, needs of those less fortunate also become more prominent.
Looking to make the season brighter for some, the Plainfield Fire Protection District has again partnered with the Marine Corps Reserve for the annual Toys for Tots collection.
Plainfield Fire District Fire Marshal Mary Ludemann gave an update on this year’s collection to about 40 people gathered at a Coffee with the Mayor meeting in Plainfield on Nov. 14, telling the public that the district will collect toys at all their fire houses and the district headquarters through Dec. 6.
Ludemann said this year, the collection locally is focusing on older children.
“The Marine Corps reserve advised me that the greatest need is for 8- to 12-year-olds,” Ludemann said. “People would like to buy toys for the younger children, but, they have the greatest need for 8- to 12-year-olds. Toys R Us used to be a huge sponsor for them and used to fill in that gap, and they’re not going to have that this year. So, they ask that that word please get spread and out for everyone to know.”
All toys collected in Toys for Tots counties are distributed in to children locally, meaning that toys donated in Plainfield stay in areas within the village or near its boundary.
The Marine Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created in 1991. The foundation assists the Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas.
Toys can be dropped off in specially marked boxes at all Plainfield Fire Protection District sites.
Meanwhile, Ludemann announced that the district is also kicking off another holiday time campaign focused on fire safety.
“We’ll also be starting our ‘Keep the Wreath Red’ holiday fire safety campaign right after Thanksgiving,” she said.
The Keep the Wreath Red is an annual event promoted by fire districts nationwide, to raise awareness of fire safety during the holidays. Wreaths adorned with red lights are hung at the districts throughout the season, and, should a holiday-related fire happen, a red bulb is switched out for a white bulb.
The hope is to provide a constant reminder to residents about the importance of fire safety, especially when it comes to tree lights, lighted decorations, fireplace safety, and candles.
“You’ll see the stations decorated with the wreaths with red lights. If we can keep anyone from having a holiday decoration related fire, the wreaths will stay red,” Ludemann said. “If you see a white bulb, that means we had a fire, so, hopefully that doesn’t happen.”
Information on the district’s activities can be found online at www.plainfieldfpd.com.