This year, according to Santa Clara County Fire Capt. and toy program coordinator Gary Cocroft, the program benefited children from 340 families and 40 children who are part of the residential program at social services provider EMQ.

The fire department has not yet tallied how many children received gifts this holiday season, Cocroft said, but with each family averaging two to three children, the program is on track to meet or exceed last year's achievement of serving more than 700 children.

"It's a lot of work, and it wouldn't be possible without a combined effort of community volunteers, civic organizations and off-duty firefighters," Cocroft said.

The gift packs this year include toys, books, arts and crafts supplies and dental hygiene supplies. Each family participating this year also receives a smoke detector.

The program started in the early 1980s; around 1985, it was adopted by the Chamber of Commerce Women in Business group, according to Campbell Councilwoman Jane Kennedy.

The Women in Business group, which Kennedy started, organized the toy program's first benefit. The event, which includes activities such as a raffle and auction, raises money that enables the program to purchase more toys to give away.

"The story was you get the money from the community, buy toys in the city of Campbell and give them to the children of Campbell," Kennedy said. "It's a community setup because it's a three way deal--it benefits the community, children and businesses."

Kennedy said the first benefit raised around $245. This year's benefit, which was on Dec. 1 at the Campbell Community Center, raised more than $6,000, Cocroft said. The event raised a little less than last year, probably because of the stormy weather the night of this year's benefit, he said.

"The money usually goes to buy things we normally don't get enough of from donations, like books, educational toys, arts and craft and sporting items," Cocroft said.

The public donates toys and items at drop-off points around the area, which are brought to Sunnyoaks Fire Station in Campbell, the hub of the toy program. Cocroft said donation numbers appear to be have exceeded last year's 5,000-plus mark.

Firefighters and volunteers wrapped gifts on Dec. 10 at the Sunnyoaks station, and recipients picked up their gift packs at Sunnyoaks on Dec. 17. A multilingual hotline was available for families interested in receiving gift packs for their children.

On Dec. 20, Santa Claus joined the Santa Clara County fire chiefs in a parade-like procession from Sunnyoaks Avenue down Winchester Boulevard to the EMQ headquarters. They rode in fire trucks escorted by the Campbell police and delivered gift packs to the children at EMQ.

"For me personally that's the highlight of the toy program here at the firehouse," Cocroft said. "It's a very heartwarming experience."

More information about donations throughout the year can be found at www.sccfd.org/toys.html or contact Gary Cocroft at 408.378.4010. Sunnyoaks Fire Station is at 485 W. Sunnyoaks Ave.