Firefighters taking applications for Toys for Tots

The Eunice Fire Department is taking applications for Toys for Tots, and the deadline to fill out an application is Nov. 25.
Eunice Fire Chief Mike Arnold said, “We’ve been doing this for a long time, many, many years. We collect the applications and bring them to Marine office in Lafayette. They call us when the toys are there, and we go pick them up. The toys are bagged by application.
“Last year, we borrowed a box truck from Riceland Crawfish and stuffed it with the toys, even the front seat. There was barely any room to drive.”
When the haul of Christmas goodies arrives at the fire station, the fire trucks are backed out of the station, and the toys are sorted for pick up.
“We handed out toys to more than 200 families last year,” Arnold said. “I’ve been doing it for four years, and the number of applications increases each year.”
“The program is a good thing.”
To qualify, applicants must receive assistance from one or more of the following programs: Social Security, Unemployment, Food stamps, medical card, SSI/welfare or alimony/child support.
The rules for Toys for Tots are as follows: no children 13 or older; if an individual is filling out an application for more than four children, a second application must be filled out; applications must be turned in by a parent or legal guardian of the children — no aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. unless that person has legal custody and proof of legal custody must be provided; applicant must provide a working contact number; applicant must pick up the toys and have a photo ID when picking up the items; and if two or more applications list the same child or children, the applicant will be contacted, and if there is no response, the application will not be turned in or filled.
The fire department only picks up applications and distributes the toys of completed applications filled by Toys for Tots. The department has no input on filling the applications, when the toys are received or what toys are given out.