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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The Ottumwa Fire Department is once again reaching out to the community, asking for donations for their annual Operation Sparky Claus program. 

The program is a way to get new, unwrapped toys, to needy children in the Ottumwa area through various service organizations.

Last year, the community generously donated hundreds of toys to the program, and the department is hoping that once again the community will support the program.

“We got to help several charities last year such as the Salvation Army, SIEDA, Women’s Crisis Center and we also helped the Working Man’s Christmas and the Ottumwa Food Bank,” said Firefighter Josh Chance with the Ottumwa Fire Department.

“You can bring a new, unwrapped toy, 24 hours a day to the central fire station all the way up to December 20^th. Just ring the front door bell and somebody will come out; and if you have a little one with you, we will give them a tour of the trucks and usually they will leave with a sticker or helmet,” Chance added.

For more information on the program, contact the Ottumwa Fire Department at 641-683-0666.