Toys and new or gently used coats can be donated at multiple locations

The Forsyth County Fire Department is asking for residents’ help in making the holiday season brighter for children in need with the twentieth annual Aerial’s House toy collection.

The following items for local children in need (between newborn and 18 years old) can be dropped off at any Forsyth County fire station or the Fire Department Headquarters (3520 Settingdown Rd.) now through Dec. 9:

• New, unwrapped toys
• Gift cards for retailers
• New or gently used coats, for children or adults (please pre-clean)

In December, donations for Aerial’s House may also be dropped off inside the lobby of the Forsyth County Administration Building (110 E. Main St.) underneath the lobby Christmas tree.

“The Fire Department is honored to continue a wonderful initiative that brings joy to children and families during such a special time of the year,” said Forsyth County Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers. “We appreciate the community’s support for this program.”

The program is celebrating its twentieth holiday season after being established by Fire Chief Danny Bowman (ret.) during the 2002 Christmas season in response to learning of the number of children in the community that did not receive or could not be provided gifts by their families each year.

The initiative gets its name from a piece of equipment which is used by the Fire Department known as an aerial ladder truck.

To receive information regarding the distribution of toys collected through Aerial’s House, call The Place of Forsyth County at (770) 887-1098. For other questions such as making a large donation or drop offs, please call Firefighter Jeff Lyons at (678) 513-5899.