This year may look a bit different, but The Firefighters of Southern Burn Foundation's (Burn Foundation) mission remains the same.
The local charity constructed of active firefighters are preparing for their 19th annual Fill The Fire Truck Toy Drive, a task they have coined #operation-make-a-kid-smile.
This year's event will kick off on Dec. 3 in partnership with Walmart, each fire department across the valley, and many businesses who are up for the challenge to do their part to help meet the mission of collecting 28,000 toys and gifts for children and their families this holiday season.
The Burn Foundation has helped fill that void for 19 years with their annual Toy Drive event: Fill The Fire Truck Toy Drive.
The three-week event where firefighters volunteer their time off duty to help collect toys at local Walmarts by setting up a fire truck or two to fill with toys and partnering with businesses to host a variety of pop-up events and fundraisers.
This year, the organization has plans to continue setting up fire trucks at Walmart locations and partner with businesses as donation drop-off sites. This year, the Burn Foundation will host the 50/50 fundraising raffle campaign.
The 50/50 raffle is where anyone can safely donate any amount towards #operation-make-a-kid-smile, which will help the organization purchase more toys and gifts needed to support their charity and community partners assist families in need during the holidays.
Anyone who donates not only administers the organization to raise funds but also can win fifty percent of the pot. Half of the money raised goes to the Burn The Foundation, and the other half will be gifted to one donor at the end of the campaign on Dec. 21.
The Burn Foundation's #operation-make-a-kid-smile mission and 50/50 raffle campaign is set to kick off on Dec. 3.
Fill The Fire Truck Toy Drive will be hosted at select Walmart locations each weekend starting Dec. 5 to Dec. 20.
Walmart locations include: Rainbow & South 215, Decatur & North 215, Sunset & Marks, Nellis & Craig, and Centennial & 95.
Firefighters and fire trucks will be on-site at each location from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
