Gifts for kids revamped by firefighters

FRANK JULIANO fjuliano@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 11/30/2007 11:31:07 PM EST

Milford Firefighters and Mayor Jim Richetelli, with tie, kick off the Toys for Tots program at Milford City Hall. Donations of unwrapped new toys can be made to any Milford Fire Station. Any Milford family needing assistance should call 874-6783. Firefighters from left to right are Paul Geer, Jack Edmonds, Brian Colwell and Jason Hall. (B.K. Angeletti / for the Connecticut Post )

MILFORD — - The "firemen's carry" has an expanded meaning here, as the city's firefighters launch their annual campaign to ensure that every local child has toys for Christmas.

Just as they took up the leadership of the Toys for Tots campaign from its founder, Harold "Butch" Torento nearly 10 years ago, Paul Geer and Jack Edmonds are preparing to hand off the holiday project to a new team.

"Jason Hall, Brian Colwell, Jack Geary and Mike Gianacopoulus will be doing more of the organizational stuff," Edmonds said at Friday's kickoff. The firefighters have all been involved in the program in previous years, except for Gianacopoulus, who joined the department earlier this year.

The men estimate that 400 or more city families, with a total of more than 900 children, will need help buying Christmas presents this year. The firefighters' Toys for Tots drive purchases toys in bulk from a Massachusetts distributor, Edmonds said, and particularly needs monetary donations to pay for those.

Timeless gifts, like sports equipment and board games are among the items the toy drive provides. "We can't get into video games or other electronics; that's way out of our price range," Edmonds said.

Alderman Vincent Ditchkus, R-3, said Milford is lucky to have a locally run toy drive, which helps teach children to share and help others. "I know when my son was at St. Ann's the firefighters came there and we donated toys."

Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. said the Fire Department

personnel help people in their professional lives, "and this is an extension of that into their personal lives. Thanks to them, no child in Milford should wake up on Christmas without a toy."

Checks may be sent to Toys for Tots, Engine Co. 7, 55 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06461, or dropped off at any local fire station. Families who need help from the program should call 874-6783.