ORANGE BEACH, Alabama — Once again this Christmas season, the Orange Beach Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will help make the season brighter for children in the city.

“I’ve been doing it 11 years and I’ve been doing it longer than that,” Connie Baker of the group said. “We used to do it over in the bay at the fire station, but then we outgrew that area.”

The ladies were busy handing out goodies to needy families with children to make the holiday a memorable one. The distribution space was at the city’s Medical Arts Plaza on Orange Beach Boulevard, just north of City Hall.

“The city was kind enough to let us use this for two years,” Baker said.

Toys are just a part of the help families receive. Around 45 families will receive food baskets and toys for the children.

“They get cereal, they get dessert, they get a ham and they get canned goods,” group member Cindy Hendry said. “They also get an abundance of toys, including bicycles.”

This year 107 kids will get toys for Christmas because of the group’s effort.

“We’ve been blessed with several donations this year,” Baker said.

The group used drop-offs around town to help in the drive. Businesses collecting items for the group included Winn Dixie, Sam’s on Canal Road, Al’s 5 & 10, Realty South in SanRoc Cay, Dollar General and the Orange Beach Library.