3 minute read
Holiday Heroes
Fire Division Spreads Joy with Firefighters 4 Kids
As the holidays approach, Westerville firefighters trade their helmets for Santa hats and rally with other central Ohio fire departments to collect gifts for children in need.
Columbus firefighter Mike Mullins founded Firefighters 4 Kids in 1977. While on an emergency call to a home with young children, he noticed a lack of holiday gifts. He sprung into action and started collecting toys and food for the family. The program only continued to grow from that moment.
“This started in my garage,” said Mullins. “We outgrew my garage pretty quickly and didn’t have any space to work. That’s when a few local fire chiefs started volunteering their firehouses as donation centers.”
The program provides toys for kids 12 and under. The organization also provides items to families displaced by house fires all year. Families are referred by various local agencies, outreach programs and first responders.
The Westerville Division of Fire (WFD) has hosted donation centers for Firefighters 4 Kids at all three Westerville fire stations for more than three decades. WFD joins approximately 50 other stations in central Ohio for the initiative.
“I have been with the fire department for almost 25 years and this program has always been a part of our community outreach," said WFD Chief Brian Miller. It has been a great comfort to our firefighters knowing we can help these families and make sure every child has the opportunity to celebrate their respective holidays with toys.”
Records show WFD’s legacy of holiday helping extends as far back as the early 1900s. Throughout history, the fire stations have served as hubs of generosity, as community members utilized the spaces for donation drop offs with support from local businesses.
“Firefighters do so much more than just put out fires and their dedication goes way beyond the emergencies they handle; they’re always looking for ways to give back,” said Miller. “They’re not just heroes in emergencies, but everyday champions making a difference.”
Mullins says his team aims to accommodate all requests, even those made at the last minute.
“There’s no date too late for donations,” said Mullins. “We are here and we get this done.”
Community members may drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Westerville fire station from Thursday, Nov. 28 - Wednesday, Dec. 25. Monetary donations for Firefighters 4 Kids will be accepted at any CME Federal Credit Union or Franklin County fire station. Checks should be made out to Firefighters 4 Kids.
For information about most-needed donations or to volunteer, visit www.firefighters4kids.com
Drop off toys at any Westerville Fire Station
Station 111 (400 W. Main St.)
Station 112 (727 E. Schrock Rd.)
Station 113 (355 N. Spring Rd.)
WARM Holiday Food Drive
Saturday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 7
The WARM Holiday Food Drive, in partnership with Kroger and Westerville Rotary, runs for two Saturdays each year, beginning with the first Saturday after Thanksgiving with the "grocery bag drop off" to designated neighborhoods throughout the Westerville community. The following Saturday, volunteers return to the neighborhoods to retrieve the grocery bags of donated items. Monetary donations are also accepted for this event
