Firefighters and community volunteers help sort toys and set up shop

Leesburg, FL – The Lake County Firefighter Charity has started welcoming local families that need a little help this Christmas to the Christmas toy store to shop for their children. “We have had applications to help between 600 to 700 children this year” according to Lt. Brian Gamble, President of the Lake County Firefighter Charity. “We have even started a waiting list to make sure we can help all the families that have already applied for assistance. This is about 5 times the amount we usually handle.” A toy store in Leesburg has been set up to let local families that apply for assistance a place to come in and shop for their children.

Firefighters are collecting new toys at all the county Fire Stations, as well as have been holding fund raisers during the year to help purchase toys. “The number of families that need help continues to grow over the years. We have been running this program for over 7 years now, and this is the most requests we have ever received. We hate to turn anyone away” Gamble states. Firefighters, friends and family volunteer their time to set up the toy store and then help walk the families walk through and shop for their children. “We believe in giving back to our community on a local level. There are a lot of great national organizations to give to, but there are so many people that need help right here in our community. That is why we started this charity – to help our community.”

The Optimist Club of Leesburg also opened a shop inside the toy store and provided gifts for the children to shop from for their parents. “This is our second year teaming up with the Optimist club. The kids love it and it is a perfect fit” says Gamble. The firefighter toy store will be helping registered families shop again Monday and wraps up the final day Wednesday (December 17th). The coordinator of the toy store and drive, firefighter William Sheppard just started his career with Lake County Fire Rescue a little over a year ago. “He has taken over a big challenge and has done an outstanding job reaching out to the families in our community with this program. The past coordinators have really helped him carry on the program."

For more information about the Lake County Firefighter Charity, visit www.lakefirefightercharity.org