Toys for Town helps 250 Farmington kids, 90 families

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Another record-breaking year has come and gone, and Farmington’s annual Toys for Town gift giving drive has been declared success.

Farmington police chief Brian Lindquist, who inherited the program from his predecessor, Dan Siebenaler, could not find the words to describe how much he appreciated the outpouring of support for this year’s program. On Monday, he estimated approximately 250 kids from 90 families had received donations of gifts and food from the program.

“It went wonderfully. It was yet again amazing to be a part of it,” he said.

This was the third year Lindquist oversaw the program after Siebenaler retired from his post. Lindquist relies heavily on his staff, as well as members of the Farmington High School Tiger Leadership Club to help. Police staff take the names, organize the family lists and keep track of monetary donations. The TLC students conduct several fundraisers, help catalog all of the gifts received, shop for toys, help with setting up the event and help people select gifts during the event.

“The combined effort of everybody who was involved was incredible. And for those who see it for the first time, their amazement at seeing how this works, and hearing some of the stories from people who do the deliveries, it helps to remind me just how much of a big deal this is for the community,” Lindquist said. “That sort of takes me back and reminds me that this is something that the town gets to do.”

But the police department and TLC were not the only ones to contribute this year. Other schools in the district donated gifts, and many individuals and businesses came forward with donations to help fund the program, as well.

“I am simply in awe at the generosity of this community when others ask for help. It’s that simple,” Lindquist said.

Approximately 100 volunteers showed up to help wrap and distribute gifts Saturday morning. Among them was Siebenaler.

Tags: community, toys, for, town