Toy and blood drive Saturday in Buckley

Today, Wednesday, is the last day to sign up to adopt a family and donate toys as part of the Buckley Fire Department’s annual toy and blood drive.

Today, Wednesday, is the last day to sign up to adopt a family and donate toys as part of the Buckley Fire Department’s annual toy and blood drive.

Buckley firefighters will wrap and deliver toys to families in need Saturday as the organization culminates the event. The fire department will take volunteers to help wrap gifts beginning at 9 a.m.

Firefighters from the Buckley Fire Department and East Pierce Fire and Rescue will deliver the gifts in the afternoon. The toy drive has been a project of the Firefighters’ Association for almost 20 years.

The Buckley department has collected the names of families in need throughout the White River School District and has asked nearby residents to “adopt” the families anonymously. The system allows donors to give gifts that the family has placed on a wish list.

“Our main focus is the kids and making sure they have gifts for Christmas,” Buckley Fire Chief Alan Predmore said. “We have a couple hundred kids who participate in the program every year.”

There will also be a blood drive Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Potential donors are encouraged to call the fire department and make an appointment to give blood, in order to prevent long waits.

To contact the fire department about donating gifts or blood, call 360-829-1441. The fire department is at 151 Cedar St.