Escalon Consolidated Fire Protection District and the Escalon American Legion Gustafson Thompson Post 263 are once again cooperating in a local toy drive to help provide gifts for needy area families for the holidays.

Fire Department Battalion Chief Terry Pinheiro said there is a one-day sign up event scheduled for those wishing to receive gifts in December. The sign up is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 24 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the firehouse, 1749 Coley Ave., Escalon. Families must live within the boundaries of the Escalon Fire District to qualify for the giveaway and Pinheiro said they must sign up in advance.

Toys will be collected for multiple ages, girls and boys, from infant to early teens. New, unwrapped toys, games, books, puzzles, stationary supplies and more are all being sought during the Christmas Toy drive.

Collection boxes and barrels will be available in a number of locations around the community for residents to drop off their donations.

Pinheiro said sites accepting donations include Escalon City Hall, El Portal Middle School, Dent Elementary, MarVal Main Street Market, Family Dollar, Vineyard Pharmacy, Pizza Plus, Ace Hardware and Escalon Premier Brands. Also, Oak Valley Bank, Bank of the West, BBVA Compass Bank, Eckert Cold Storage, D’Boni’s Pizza, Trinity Church, The Learning Tree (at Saron Lutheran Church), Mountain Mike’s and the Escalon American Legion Hall. Donations can also be dropped off directly at the firehouse on Coley Avenue.

The distribution of holiday gifts is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 19 beginning at 10 a.m. at the firehouse.

“We partner with the American Legion and have done that for the last few years,” Pinheiro said, with a group of community volunteers also coming in the day of the distribution to sort and bag up the items by age group, helping to deliver some holiday happiness to those in need in the community.

Contact Pinheiro at the firehouse, 209-838-7500 if you would like a donation box to set up in your business.