The East End Fire Company will once again help spread holiday cheer, along with food and toys, to those in need.

And while Christmas is more than a month away, an organizer of the Tamaqua fire company’s annual Christmas program said demand is already high.

“Last year, we had 48 families and 153 children,” Thomas McCarroll said. “This year, we have surpassed last year’s numbers already.”

The East End provides families with turkey and all the trimmings for a Christmas dinner, along with toys for children.

McCarroll said assistance from the community is always appreciated to keep the 22 year-old program running.

“We ask people for donations of food or gift cards to local stores for toys or clothing or just monetary donations,” McCarroll said.

Others are dispatched to local stores to complete the shopping.

Everything is assembled on Dec. 20.

“We wrap all the gifts and get the food donations together, and we have a fleet of delivery elves,” McCarroll said.

He noted that the fire company receives help from the Notre Dame Club of Schuylkill County, Koch’s Turkey Farm and the Shayne T. Livingston Memorial Group.

McCarroll said needy families are recommended by local schools, day care centers and community residents. But even so, he said, the fire company has received assistance requests on Christmas Eve.

To learn how to donate or volunteer, contact McCarroll through “Thomas McCarroll” on Facebook.

Donations of nonperishable items or monetary amounts may also be dropped off at the 553 E. Broad St. firehouse.