Local donations aid in Toy Box Drive's success

COLFAX - The Colfax firefighters held their annual Toy Box Drive, serving about 260 kids this year organizer and Colfax firefighter Jamie Keller said.

"Everyone was very generous with their donations," Keller said, "both personally, and many groups donated." It was the first year Keller had organized the event, spending about $10,000 dollars in toys, "I think it was a pretty successful year," she added.

One of the groups that donated was the Colfax Rotary Club, President of the Rotary Club, Kay Riebold presented a check for $3,900 to Fire Captain Scott Cruse.

The Colfax Rotary Club has been in Colfax since 1950, Riebold explained, noting that it was around 15 years ago that they started the Christmas Auction. "We do the Christmas Auction each December," Riebold said.

For the Christmas Auction, participants bring packages wrapped, and auction them off, "Then everyone opens up the gift, and it's auctioned off again," Riebold said, noting that everything gets sold twice at the auction. All the proceeds then go to the fireman's toy box.

Riebold noted that the $3,000 they donated this year is about average for how much they usually raise for the Toy Box Drive.

"We're going to change hours next year," Keller said, noting that it will probably be three days. "We'll extend it into the evening, so it's easier for parents who work to get in," she added.

Keller also mentioned that the winner of the smoker raffle was Rick Collinsworth.