KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

It was all smiles and Christmas cheer for the members of the Tullahoma Fire Department Monday morning as they distributed toys for its annual toy drive.

Each year, going as far back as the 1950s, the fire department fundraises and holds a toy drive to provide families with toys for their children to open during Christmas. According to Fire Chief Kenneth Pearson, the department was able to fill up boxes with toys for families thanks to financial and toy donations from not only members of the community, but from various organizations and groups in Tullahoma. These included The Tullahoma Women’s Club, Joyful Noise Daycare, CarMart, the Tullahoma Baseball Team, West Middle School National Junior Honor Society, Russell Barnett Automotive, Death Before Dishonor Tattoo Company, Tullahoma Gymnastics and Cheer, Kay Jewelers and Farmers Home Furniture.

Residents lined up at the former shoe department store at the Commerce Center shopping center, next to Walmart, early on Monday, Dec. 22, to receive their box of toys. Pearson said it was a giving-type atmosphere for them as the firefighters made their way down the aisles to grab boxes and bring them to the families.

 “We’re glad that we’re able to give back to the community, through the community cause the community does support this,” Pearson said. “If it wasn’t for our community members and the donations that we receive, uh, the toys that are brought in, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do here.”

This year, the fire department was able to fill boxes for 162 families, about 370 children, and spent about $15,000 on toys for the toy drive.

“In what we do as firefighters, we serve our community, we serve these citizens and this is just another service that we’re able to give them.”

The spirit of giving doesn’t stop at Christmas as the Tullahoma Fire Department collects donations of funds for the toy drive year-round.

“We want to keep it going, keep going strong,” Pearson said. “The giving spirit is year-round for us.”

Those who want to donate to next year’s toy drive can drop off check donations at Fire Station No. 1, located at 613 S. Jackson St. Any check donations should be made out to Tullahoma Fire Department Toy Drive.