By EMILY REED / Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Fit 24 in Alabaster recently donated a large box of toys for the Toys for Tots campaign, to help provide a new toy at Christmas for children in need.

“This is our second year to participate in Toys for Tots,” said Fit 24 personal trainer Joyce Bulford. “Our gym really enjoys getting involved and helping families in the community, and this was a way we could get our members involved in something at Christmas. We love those who serve or have served in the military and the gym shows our support by offering all military personnel a military discount.”

Beginning in November, Bulford said a large box was placed at the gym’s Alabaster location and donations of toys were collected at both Pelham and Alabaster gym locations.

“Pelham didn’t have a box, but we would go and pick up the toys collected in Pelham and bring them to Alabaster,” Bulford said.

Bulford said Fit 24 owner, Keith Davis has a heart for people, and gym members welcome ways to get involved.

“We are always trying to pick something we can do to help others,” Bulford said. “The people at our gym really have a heart for people. That is our focus, and any time we can help with something we will try.”

The primary goal of Toys for Tots, organized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens, according to the campaign’s website.

Earlier in the year, individuals at Fit 24 collected school supplies for Selma’s R.B. Hudson Middle School, and made fleece blankets for Fleecing the Flock, an organization that provides fleece blankets to foster children in Alabama.

“We have always known that Fit 24 is a unique gym because of the hearts of the people,” Bulford said. “It is a community in and of itself. The members care for things outside of the gym, and they really want to be a part of a community that helps and supports one another. We have people who come to work out, but they also want to help others, and when a need comes up, the gym members are always ready and willing to rally behind something.”