72-year-old Port Jervis firefighter leads personal toy drive for kids after learning others won’t happen this year
With the help of neighbors, he’s now collected thousands of dollars in toys for local children whose families say they’re struggling to afford gifts this year.
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A longtime Port Jervis firefighter is taking on a new kind of community service just weeks before Christmas.
With the help of neighbors, he’s now collected thousands of dollars in toys for local children whose families say they’re struggling to afford gifts this year.
Gene Hughes, 72, was born and raised in Port Jervis and has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 54 years. He is also a retired New York state corrections lieutenant, adding to a lifetime spent serving the community.
“I joined this fire department in 1971, so I’ve been here 54 years,” he said. “I did drive the fire truck for many years. I even drove the ambulance.”
This holiday season, however, Hughes is answering a different kind of call.
He says he learned that some of the toy drives many local families rely on, including Toys for Tots, would not be happening in Port Jervis this year.
“I put money aside for Toys for Tots,” Hughes said. “I found out Toys for Tots was not coming to Port Jervis this year.”
Rather than letting families go without, Hughes decided to take matters into his own hands.
“I put a little thing on Facebook and asked five friends to give me $100 each and I’ll match it,” he said. “It just took off from there.”
And take off it did. Hughes says he has now collected more than $2,600 worth of toys, with donations still coming in.
“We just got another donation yesterday,” he said. “The people in the community have really responded to help these kids.”
Hughes is partnering with the Port Jervis Police Department, The Salvation Army, and Easter Seals to make sure toys stay local and reach families who need them most.
“They are all going to kids in the city of Port Jervis or in the surrounding community,” he said. “The parents have notified them that they haven’t gotten the funds available to buy toys for their children. This is really going to help a lot of kids.”
He’s also getting help from a local business — Ollie’s in Port Jervis, which is giving him a 25% discount on toys during his frequent shopping runs.
His approach to picking gifts is simple.
“I look, I like it, and I throw it in the bucket,” he joked, laughing as he pointed out drones, laser tag sets, and bikes among the purchases.
Inside a donation room, Hughes gestured at stacks of toys.
“So, this is all the toys here,” he said. “This is all the stuff we brought in the other day. We have toys all over the place here. I still have toys to deliver.”
For Hughes, who’s spent decades in public service as both a firefighter and a corrections lieutenant, this mission is personal.
“It makes me feel fantastic,” he said. “I would really love to be able to see their faces Christmas morning.”
Hughes plans to continue collecting new, unwrapped toys through Christmas Eve, and residents who wish to help can reach him directly at geneandfran@yahoo.com for drop-off information or to offer support.
He already knows whether he’ll do it again next year.
“God willing, yes,” he said.
