VIDEO: For nearly a century, a beloved Lexington holiday tradition has helped make sure local children wake up to gifts on Christmas morning. The Lexington Firefighters’ Toy Program, headquartered at what firefighters affectionately call “the North Pole,” is now in its 96th year of serving families in need across Fayette County.
The program began as a small effort to repair and build toys for children who lived near fire stations. Nearly 100 years later, it has grown into a large-scale operation that now serves thousands of children every year.
Lt. Chris McFarlane with the Lexington Fire Department says the program is a meaningful way for firefighters to close out a demanding year of service.
“Kinda like the cherry on top for the end of the year for us,” McFarlane said. “Most of our firefighters have had a long year, lots of runs. Our run volume is the highest in the state, and we’ve got a lot of citizens to take care of. So for us to be able to end the year with a smile, that’s very important, and we’ll continue that for another 100 years.”
