Bergen Toys For Tots Back On Track After Fire Destroyed Gifts

PARAMUS, NJ — In a remarkable show of community, organization and sheer will power, Bergen County Toys for Tots donated hundreds of gifts to area kids this year, even after a fire destroyed man that had already been collected.

Hundreds of toys were destroyed when the Paramus Junior Baseball League fieldhouse caught fire on Nov. 21. Read more: Fire Destroys Paramus Junior Baseball League Fieldhouse

But The Orange Lantern, an area restaurant that hosted a toy drive for the organization, quickly put out a call for help.

"As most of you know, The Orange Lantern held our annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive. Many toys were collected at the event, and even more have been donated since," they wrote.

"Tragically, a fire in town at one of our storage facilities has destroyed hundreds of these toys as they were waiting to be transported to the US Marine Corps Reserves with Operation Toy Train in December."

They continued:

"We're all devastated by this loss. However, the holiday season does not stop, and neither will we. The Orange Lantern will continue to collect toys and ufnds for the Bergen County Toys for Tots Foundation until Dec. 10. We need your help to replace those toys!

Together, we can deliver on the Toys for Tots promise that: Every Child Deserves A Little Christmas."

According to reports from Pix11 and NJ.com, the people of Paramus and Bergen County have answered the call.

"We’re getting inundated," Brenda Brundage, a Paramus woman who runs the Bergen Toys for Tots, told NJ.com. "It’s wonderful."

She also told the publication that she believes new donations may have even surpassed the number that were destroyed in the fire.

The organization may be back on track to hitting their goal, but there's still time to donate. The Orange Lantern will continue accepting donations until Dec. 10, which can be dropped off at 15 E. Firehouse Ln., in Paramus.