By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
While Santa is often unable to visit everyone’s house, on Saturday the Bucyrus Fire Department with the aid of a generous community ensured that as many boys and girls as possible will have a Merry Christmas.
Starting at 9 a.m. and running through noon, the Bucyrus Department’s Mansfield Street Station was converted into a donation drive-thru. Motorists pulled into the rear end of the station, dropped off toys and exited back onto Mansfield Street.
In its fourth year the toy drive didn’t slow down on the donations as former firefighters and wives of some of the current firefighters were called on hand to help.
Firefighter Eric McNutt explained that this year had a decent turn out compared to years past.
“It is comparable, I think the weather helped out this year, I think last year was a little colder; this year is doing pretty good. Anything we get is better than nothing; greatly appreciated, as always Thanks to the citizens of Bucyrus,” McNutt said.
Toys weren’t the only items being donated Saturday as some people chose to donate money.
“We just got a $100 dollar donation; we have had a few of those today,” McNutt explained.
Also being donated were food items. Henry and Michele Teters from Katering Kountry Style donated canned goods to the cause.
“Last year we had a fire, and we pretty much lost everything. So we decided to give back.” Henry Teters said. “We brought food; we thought everyone could use food that needed something. We just thought it would be nice to give back to the community. They (were) good to us when we (were) down and out.”
While the drive up portion of the toy drive was scheduled to end at noon, the Bucyrus Fire Department received donations throughout the weekend.
“People will be dropping stuff off all weekend at the station. It really isn’t just during this set time today. Then on Monday we will be taking everything over to Jobs and Family Services, and they will distribute the gifts to those who need it,” McNutt explained.