Firemen are universally known as heroes for their selfless service to their communities and members of the Atmore and Poarch fire departments spent last weekend exhibiting a different kind of heroism as they worked to raise funds and collect toys for local children in need during the holiday season.

The group of firemen set up shop at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Fred’s parking lot on Lindberg Avenue and spent the better part of the day collecting toys and donations from generous shoppers, most of whom purchased their toy donation while inside Fred’s, giving the local store a holiday boost of its own.

Saturday the hard work and generosity of so many will pay off as the firemen deliver the toys to Change of Mind Children’s Ministry, who will distribute the merchandise to families in need.

Change of Mind founder Betty Cox said this year’s drive was very successful and should go a long way towards making some area children’s Christmas season much brighter.

Cox said families on the donation list have pre-registered for Saturday’s distribution.

“This gift of love will be Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. in front of the Atmore Fire Department,” Cox said.

Cox said, while there are many toy drives in the Atmore area, the special aspect of Change of Mind Children’s Ministry is that all of the toys will go to children in the community of Atmore.