Colfax Toy Box Drive helps local families

COLFAX — The Colfax Volunteer Firemen are hosting their annual Firefighters’ Christmas Toy Box Drive and collecting donations.

Colfax local Sherry Brackett has donated 150 hats to the yearly cause to provide for children in the area.

Brackett said she uses a round loom she learned to make hats on 20 years ago. “I’m not a crafty person, but this has been really fun to do, and so I’ve been making hats ever since, and I donate them to different organizations,” Brackett said, noting that it’s just something she enjoys doing.

Brackett said that while she has donated to many organizations, including 103 to the Colfax Food Bank several years ago, the Union Gospel Mission, Community Action Center, and more. Brackett said since the women’s ministry of her church, the Nazarene decided to donate toys to the Toy Box Drive. “I decided back in August to start making hats so I could donate hats at the same time,” she said.

Brackett said she is legally blind and that her right eye has no sight at all. She loves creating hats for causes that matter since it’s easy to do, and she doesn’t have to think about it. “It takes about an hour and a half to two hours to make one, so I can get quite a few done,” she said.

The Colfax Firemen have been serving the children of Whitman County for over 35 years and seek donations during the season of giving to continue serving Whitman County families.

The Firemen give all the toys purchased to local families, hoping to bring a happy and joyous Christmas.

Those interested in donating can make donations to Vol. Firemen Inc’s Toy Box PO Box 226 Colfax, Wash., 99111, or bring the donations in person to the Colfax Fire Department at 400 North Mill Street.

Registering as a family to receive the presents is due by Friday, Dec. 8.