EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) - Fire tucks and police vehicles were parked outside of Shopko Sunday, not for a real-life emergency, but with hopes to spread holiday cheer through the gift of giving.
Hundreds of kids got to ride in a fire truck or other emergency vehicles after giving a new, unwrapped toy to "Toys for Tots" as part of their annual collection.
A five-year old from Eugene at Sundays event, Noah got to ride a firetruck, saying it makes him want to be a firefighter. Noah nodded yes, then saying he wanted to join the U.S. Army first.
Another little girl, Kaylie, got to ride on the fire truck. She said the fire alarms were "cool" because they were loud.
The items donated Sunday will be distributed to local kids in need.
US Marines also went on a shopping spree inside the store for toys and other items, spending about $3,000 dollars.
"It's a wonderful feeling seeing a lot of the children, they're happy, and it's also a good thing seeing all of the parents because a lot of these kids, they might not get the toys this Christmas. So we kind of feel like the community making Christmas a possibility for these kids" said Staff Seargant Luis Jenkins, US Marine Corps.
Local Marines hope to donate around 10,000 toys in Lane County alone.
You can still donate new, unwrapped toys to the Marine Corps Reserve Center, any Eugene-Springfield Fire Station or any Bi-Mart store.
The toys will be distributed December 16th and 18th, 2011, in Springfield.
