Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye, and the city of Russellville is once again gearing up for the annual Helping Santa toy drive.

Applications to participate in the program are now available at the Russellville Police Department. The program, in its eighth year, is a joint effort coordinated by the RPD and the Russellville Fire Department, but it also involves the city and community.

“It’s gotten better every year,” said firefighter Rhett Bradford, who is involved in coordinating the program this year. “It’s been a good thing. We have seen a lot of kids helped by it.”

The program is open first to children in the city limits of Russellville, then in the county, and any other children will be considered after those two groups have been served.

Applications to participate in the program can be picked up at the Russellville Police Department in downtown Russellville between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“I couldn’t imagine being that young and waking up and there not being anything there on Christmas,” Bradford said. “Getting gifts isn’t what Christmas is about to me, but it sure does make the kids happy.”

The deadline to turn applications in will be Dec. 4. All other information needed to apply will be listed on the applications.

The RFD will also once again accept donations from the community to fulfill the Christmas wishes of local children in need. More information and details will be shared at a later date.