Toy drive aiming for more

Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 2’s annual drive collects toys, new and unwrapped, for needy local children.

By: Donna Lukiw
   Last year, the holiday season was brightened for 73 families by the annual toy drive for needy children organized by Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 2.
   During the ninth annual toy drive, the fire company is aiming to reach even more residents with 279 people in 81 families registered with the Hillsborough Health and Social Services Department.
   "We hope to again provide and help the less fortunate children during the holiday," firefighter and toy drive organizer Joe Mitzen said.
   Mr. Mitzen said the toys collected will be delivered to the Hillsborough Municipal Complex on Dec. 15 — just in time for delivery to the families.
   "When the toys are dropped off, volunteers and office staff in the Health and Social Services office match the toys with the appropriate age child," Tamas Ormosi, director of social services said. Mr. Ormosi said the gifts will then be distributed to the families, along with food donations from the Hillsborough Food Pantry that day.
   Mr. Mitzen said the toys should be new and unwrapped for children who are newborn and older.
   "It’s rather slow so far," Mr. Mitzen said about toys being dropped off. "Hopefully, we’ll see that increase."
   Toy collection boxes are located at Woods Road firehouse, Hillsborough Police Department, Hillsborough Township Office of Fire Safety, Kindercare, Happy Hearts Day Care, Bagel Bop, Stop and Shop, Super Sundie, Bagelious, ShopRite, Hillsborough Fitness Center on Amwell Road, Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream, Worden and Green Century 21, K-Mart, Memory Lane and the Hillsborough Public Library.
   Mr. Mitzen said whoever can’t make it to the stores to drop off toys can always drop them off at the firehouse on Route 206.