Richardson Fire Department crews will start collecting toys, food and clothing for Network of Community Ministries on Monday, Nov. 23, the city announced Monday. The annual drive runs through Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Donations go to Network's Toyland Express holiday program. Network gathers gifts all year for the program, but the city says the bulk arrives in December, much of it from collections like this one. The city says the program frees families to put their own money toward necessities.
Drop-off points:
- Any Richardson fire station
- Service Center, 1260 Columbia Drive
- City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525
- Public Library, 421 W. Arapaho Road
- Police Support Building, 200 N. Greenville Ave.
New items of all kinds are welcome, but Network is looking for more gifts for babies and preteens. Its wish list includes sensory toys for infants, building blocks, blankets, craft kits, sunglasses and accessories. Network also takes new toys at its own location year-round, and families who want a Toyland Express appointment can find details at thenetwork.org.
Grease drop-off returns Nov. 17
The city's free Holiday Grease Roundup also returns this month. Residents can leave used cooking oil and fat in a sealed container in the plastic bin in the Service Center parking lot at 1260 Columbia Drive, at any hour, during two windows: Tuesday, Nov. 17, through Friday, Dec. 4, and Friday, Dec. 18, through Monday, Jan. 4.