MONTGOMERY - Operation Grateful Heart and the Hoover Fire Department have teamed up for the sixth consecutive year to collect Christmas toys for children of deployed military personnel and children from families in need.

Governor Bob Riley created Operation Grateful Heart in 2004 as a statewide initiative to show public appreciation and support for Alabama troops and their families. During the past five years, more than 12,000 toys have been donated at Hoover fire stations and delivered to children through Operation Grateful Heart.

The toy drive is geared for deployed military families as well as disadvantaged children who have been identified through charitable organizations and non-profit groups, such as homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters.

“We’re blessed to have so many men and women willing to defend our country. They’re making tremendous sacrifices for us, and so are their families. Children in many other families are in very tough situations of a totally different nature. We need to remember all these children, especially during the Christmas season,” said Governor Riley. “The Hoover Fire Department is once again working with Operation Grateful Heart to help make sure these children have presents to open on Christmas morning. I thank them for their continuing assistance in this important effort.”

Those interested in donating toys can leave them at any one of the 11 fire stations located throughout Hoover. The deadline for dropping off toys is December 13. For more information, contact Operation Grateful Heart toll-free at (866) 452-4944 or at (334) 353-1173.

Hoover fire stations are drop-off points only. Toys will not be distributed from the fire stations. Fire station locations are: 1953 Braddock Circle, 1591 Patton Chapel Road, 803 Riverchase Parkway West, 800 Municipal Drive, 588 Park Avenue, 310 Edna Road, 100 Inverness Center Parkway, 121 Village Street, 1150 Legacy Drive, 4870 Cahaba River Road, and 2911 Metropolitan Way.