History

This is the 31st year the NBC 4 Firefighters 4 Kids Toy Drive has been helping Central Ohio's needy children have happier holidays. It all started in 1977 as a "Mrs. Santa" program by firefighter Mike Mullins (now retired). The program was supposed to provide food baskets for 25 needy families, but it received such a tremendous response that Mike was able to provide food for many more families than he anticipated. Not only did people donate food for the Mrs. Santa program, but they brought used toys as well. With a little cleaning up, Mike gave these to the needy families as well.

Three years later, and with the help of fellow firefighters, the program grew and became known as "Firefighters Christmas Clearinghouse." The firefighters were able to provide food and 2 toys to about 200-300 families.

By 1983 the numbers of families helped through the Clearinghouse program grew to over 600. The drive eventually focused only on receiving new toys for families, and NBC 4 Television became an integral part of the program. In 1995 the program received a facelift. It then became known as the NBC 4 Firefighters 4 Kids Toy Drive.

Today, local area fire stations accept New, Unwrapped Toys through December 22, 2007. NBC 4 will dedicate Saturday, December 15, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to collect toys via a drive-thru at its studios at 3165 Olentangy River Road in Columbus. Monetary donations will also be accepted on that day.

Checks or money orders can also be mailed to:
CME Federal Credit Union
Attn: Firefighters 4 Kids Toy Drive
365 S. Fourth Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

or

NBC 4 Firefighters 4 Kids Toy Drive
c/o NBC 4
P.O. Box 4
Columbus, Ohio 43216