Helping Santa program cleaned out

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
The Russellville Fire department, along with other city officials, welcomed in struggling families and offered gifts in their time of need on Monday and Tuesday.
The two-day event tried to service every family’s need so children would not go without this Christmas season.
Russellville resident Margaret Forrester said these types of events help out tremendously, especially if a person is just going through something that is out of their control.
Forrester has a 12 year-old girl and a 10 year-old boy. This is the first year she has come to this toy drive.
Forrester said there were just to many things that happened this year and she just could not afford gifts this year.
Russellville Fire Captain Randy Seal said folks this year just needed some gifts. “I believe we were able to serve everyone that came in,” he said. “In the beginning I thought donations were going to be down and the demand was going to be high, but donations really picked up near the end and was significant enough to meet the needs of everyone who needed it.”
Six bicycles were donated to the cause this year and over 40 families signed up for one. Fire Chief Joe Mansell said this year they had to be fair and do things a little differently because there wasn’t enough to go around.
Russellville officials stepped up for the occasion and gave one big gift or two small gifts with as many stuffed animals, clothes and coloring books while supplies lasted to each child. In the end, officials supplied Christmas to almost 500 kids in or near the city. Chief Mansell said he would like to thank Jeff Bowling and Associates, Alabama Central Credit Union, Catfish Haven, Russellville Water Department, Franklin Civic and Social club, all individuals who contributed with small or large donations and everyone who was involved in the cause. He sends out a special thanks to all shifts within the fire department along with the street and police departments for the help needed to bag toys for the families in need.