SCW fire helps families during holidays

The Fire District of Sun City West is gearing up to brighten the holiday season for local families by participating in the Adopt-A-Family program.

This holiday season, the fire district also will collect non-perishable food items to help St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and the Salvation Army, along with traditional items generally collected with the program such as gifts, clothing and school supplies for children,

One in five children, one in seven adults and one in 12 seniors live in poverty in Arizona, St. Mary’s officials said. Items that are needed most are canned and dried beans, rice, cereal, canned and dry soups, canned fruits and vegetables, fruit juice in plastic containers and seasonal favorites.

Community members, businesses and organizations are invited to participate in the holiday food and toy drive by donating items such as food, new toys, money and holiday gift wrapping skills.

Cash donations may be made at the Fire District of Sun City West administration building, 18818 Spanish Garden Drive, as well as the Adopt-A-Family account at Credit Union West, 19436 R.H. Johnson Blvd., in Sun City West.

All food and toy donations can be made in the lobby at the following Sun City West locations: Fire District of Sun City West administration building; Fire Station 101 at 19001 Camino del Sol, Fire Station 102 at 20622 Stardust Blvd.; or Fire Station 103 at 13431 W. Deer Valley Drive. Donations can also be dropped off at The Madison at 18626 N. Spanish Garden Drive.

Items should not be wrapped, and stuffed animals will not be accepted this year.

Toy, food and cash donations will be accepted through Dec. 18. All donated and purchased items are wrapped and personally delivered by volunteers to families in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program and the Dysart Unified School District.

For information, call Holli Sandeen at the Fire District at 623-584-3500 or visit www.scwfire.org.