Annual Toys for Tots volunteers hope for another successful year

The money the program raises goes toward purchasing toys for needy children. The firefighters not only collect the toys, but also deliver them to the Samaritan House, a local non-profit agency. Samaritan House staff then distributes those toys to the children.

"We take care of San Mateo County first, and then we help out other counties," said Capt. Jeff Barile of the San Mateo Fire Department.

The toys eventually end up at Redwood Hall at the San Mateo Expo Center, where people go to pick up the toys for their children. Donated food is also available at this location.

As part of the Toys for Tots program, some firefighters go to Turnbill Elementary School and give every student a toy during Christmas time. Barile said the entire program actually evolved from this annual event.

During a good year, Toys for Tots will collect anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 toys, Barile said. The program provides gifts for newborns to teenagers. The money the program receives usually goes toward buying gifts for the teenagers, who Barile said are more difficult to get gifts for.

The program receives some amazing donations, Barile said. "Every year there are different fads, Pokeman was real popular for a while" he said. "But we've had an incredible Barbie collection; we get bikes, wagons, baseball and basketball stuff. People give everything."

To donate toys or money, go to the Hillsdale Mall or any fire station in San Mateo. "[This program] has a good charity mechanism in place, it's real fair. The Samaritan House gets the money and the toys to where it's needed," Barile said. "Our hope is that every child has a toy for Christmas."