It should be a merrier Christmas for lots of Trenton and Grundy County children thanks to the efforts of the Trenton Kiwanis, KTTN, Trenton Fire Department, Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce and many others.


The Trenton Fire Department, in cooperation with the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce, conducted the second annual toy drive this Christmas.

Fire Department Lieutenant Mike Moore called it a good number of kids who have come by
the fire station. He did not have any numbers as to how many. Several toys are still
available. If there is still a child in need, Lieutenant Moore is extending an invitation to any child in the Trenton area who needs a toy or two to stop by the Trenton fire station today
before 4 pm. It’s located at 17th and Harris. The toy drive was called “fill the ‘44” in
reference to the 1944 LaFrance fire truck that the department has.

The Trenton Kiwanis Club is the lead agency in the annual Christmas wish for kids project. Information previously provided indicated over 200 children of Trenton and Grundy County were eligible to receive the donated gifts. KTTN aired numerous announcements on the specific Christmas gift wishes from needy children.

Members of the Trenton Kiwanis Club delivered the gifts yesterday. Project coordinator Kara Helmandollar said the effort was being wrapped up this morning. There were 88 families and 212 kids.

The community was, as Mrs. Helmandollar stated again, very generous with their donations. As of
Monday last week, the gift situation made her rather nervous, but after a plea to the community
that we aired on KTTN, Mrs. Helmandollar said the funds rolled in. She noted the Kiwanis club
steps out on faith with this project every year and every year, it always manages to work. That,
she concluded, says a lot for the community.