Woven into the fabric of the culture of Vernon, and especially its Fire Department, the annual Toys for Tikes drive is in full collection mode for its 70th year.

Diane Carpenter has been the chief organizer of the drive, which distributes toys, as well as books and other items, to children in less fortunate families, for 36 years.

Several local businesses and organizations have begun holding toy collection drives and events, and monetary contributions have begun to roll in. The number of households and children is not yet known, and fluctuates somewhat, but donations have always trended upward. The early estimate is that the distribution will be 250 to 300 kids this year.

“We’ve just kicked off, and the monetary donations have been very good,” Carpenter said. “We’ve just started to collect toys, so we don’t have a gauge on that yet, but donations from the businesses and the community continue to grow every year. Every year, on the donation side, we exceed prior years.”

The drive began in 1953, and began by asking for donations of used toys, whereas now they are 100% new. The drive has been ingrained in the firefighters and their families, who put together the effort of collection to delivery of the toys, and everything in between.

“The firefighters look forward to this. It’s their one big thing every year where they can come out, make these kids happy, and be a positive influence,” she said.

But, it even goes deeper than that. One community member is one of the largest donors, because he himself was a recipient years ago.

“They run an event for us, and each year it grows astronomically,” she said. “For that particular person, it means something, because they were on the receiving end. That’s why they keep doing it. I find those types of people every year. People who say we made their Christmas when they were young, and they want to be that now, and give back. It’s a great feeling.”

For Carpenter, who also recruits the help of her daughter, Sarah Brungard, and most recently, grandson Grant, it’s simply a part of her life.

“They’ve been involved since they were born,” she said.

Carpenter said she’s not ready to give up running the drive, but is training her eventual replacement, Nettie Kenzior, for a future date down the road.

“She’s assisting me and in training,” Carpenter said. “Every year, I’m giving her a little bit more to do. It’s not one of those things you can just hand over to somebody and say, ‘Good luck,’ because there are just so many facets to it. She’s been helping me a lot, and it’s been a good relationship.”

“I’m trying to take it slow, because I don’t want to overwhelm her and I don’t want her to leave me,” she joked.

Families in need of toy assistance should contact Vernon Social Services at 860-870-3661 ext 9. by December 8, 2023. Distribution to families who have pre-registered with Vernon Social Services will be completed on Dec. 18 after 6:30 p.m. Financial donations can be sent to: Vernon Volunteer Firefighters Association, Inc., P.O. Box 951, Vernon, CT 06066. Questions may be directed to the Vernon Fire Safety Complex at 860-871-7468 – Option 2.