11/12/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BTSJwn8JQ/
PJFD MEMBER LEADS TOY COLLECTION FOR LOCAL CHILDREN
I had a lengthy conversation with Gene Hughes this morning. Gene is a 54-year PJFD member with Truck 7 and is a retired NYS corrections lieutenant. He shared with me a conversation that he recently had with PJPD Police chief Bill Worden, also a PJFD member with Truck 7.
Before I go on, I must mention that the Marine Corps (Reserve) Toys For Tots organization is a very worthy program as well as their coordination with Operation Toy Train.
Now to continue, Gene noted that a special train on a select date makes numerous stops in the region, including the Port Jervis Transportation History Museum at 86 Pike Street. The joint organizations collected over 20,000 toys in 2023 alone. Their goal this year is for over 40,000 toys.
However, as Gene noted, these toys are loaded on a train and leave the Port Jervis community. Gene asked Chief Worden if there was an organization that distributes toys to needy children locally, and the chief replied yes, the police department collects toys that are delivered to Easter Seals on Jersey Avenue and the Salvation Army on Ball Street.
So, Gene enthusiastically began his own crusade to collect toys that will be delivered along with the police department when they visit Easter Seals and the Salvation Army. Gene has already purchased hundreds of dollars of toys with his own money along with donations from friends. He also is collecting donations of new toys or new like toys. I personally made a small donation to Gene’s cause this morning to try and help to keep some of these donated toys local.
Besides benefiting our local kids in need, he has also been making many purchases at Ollie’s at 100 Pike Street, supporting a local business employing our neighbors and friends. Gene found that they have some outstanding prices on toys.
Here are some of the messages Gene posted on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14TYMqMb28S/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MXwYdNEEW/
Therefore, if you would like to donate to either collection, you can contact:
Gene via Facebook, or email [email protected], or call 845-800-1944.
Operation Toy Train via [email protected], or call 765-999-1775.
Thank you,
Bill Werner
Port Jervis Fire Department
11 November 2025
Photo is toys collected or purchased to date.
