FOR OVER 20 years, the children of Bedford County have benefited from the work of the Shelbyville Fire Department, not just by the lifesaving work they do every day but by their annual Christmas toy drive. Every department member is involved in the drive, from taking donations to sorting and bagging toys they receive. Each year, they serve hundreds of children in the community.
The event was initially started by retired Col. Ken Crowell and his wife, Sandra, before being taken over by fire Chief Matt Doak. Doak said they would have only a few dozen children involved for the first couple of years. Now, the event is coordinated by engineer Justin Bird, and depending on the year, the fire department’s work may reach up to 1,200 children.
Bird said only 400-600 children are signed up, so the number they help is hard to know. Once toys are given out to the children who are expected, the department may reach out to civic organizations to find even more children who might need a little extra Christmas. Doak said any organization that knows of a child in need can reach out, and the department will try and help them.
“A lot of them will be trying to buy toys and maybe clothes and help them with food,” Doak said. “Come to us with your need. If we can help you, then you can utilize what funds you have to help with the other needs.”
The organizations must be reputable, but there is no limit to who can receive help. The department has worked with churches, day cares, elementary schools, veterans organizations, and other emergency services.
“They know their kids, they know the ones who struggle, and they know the ones that need help,” Bird said. “We’re actually able to help more children than we’ve ever helped before just because the community has stepped up, and the businesses have stepped up so much.”
Bird said multiple businesses in the community donate thousands of dollars and truckloads of toys and bikes. And regular people also play a huge part in the toy drive’s success.
“When we put the word out that we’re getting ramped up and getting ready to go, the phone here at the fire department rings constantly with people wanting to know how they can help or what they can do,” Bird said. “There’s always somebody knocking on the door wanting to donate toys or money.”
They haven’t always had too much, however. When Bird first joined the fire department 12 years ago, they typically saw less than 150 kids. Since then, the numbers have been steadily growing. When the number of families signing up increased significantly around 2020, Bird said the department worried about having enough toys. The fire department worked to get the word out better, and people stepped up in a big way.
“We got lucky when the numbers started getting really high,” Bird said. “That’s when everybody started stepping up and helping out.”
Now, the drive is capable of helping several hundred more children each year on top of those who are signed up.
The whole process begins in October when toys start to be collected and stored in Shelbyville’s National Guard Armory. Bird said many people aren’t sure what to give, so they often get monetary donations as well. Those donations are used to supplement any age group that doesn’t have enough toys or to buy as many bicycles as possible.
The fire department may spend several months collecting funds and donations, but they manage to sort and bag every toy in only three days. The number is intentional — those three days correspond to the three 14-man shifts the department runs.
“Each shift will go and spend a few hours separating, sorting, and bagging,” Bird said. “So 100% of the Shelbyville Fire Department contributes to this.”
Bird said everyone looks forward to the toy drive every year because the department gets together and does something that helps the community. The work they do is not only fun, but it gets everyone in the giving spirit.
“It’s a good time of year. It’s a happy time, and it’s a time to give back,” Bird said. “That’s what I think makes this department great. We love to help the community; we love to give back.” GN
