Save a Life at Toms River Fire Co. #1 Blood Drive and Open House

It’s a blood drive. It’s an open house. It’s a visit from Buster the Lakewood Blue Claws mascot. It’s an info session on the Toms River Halloween Parade.

All this and more is scheduled for “first annual” open house and blood drive, at the downtown firehouse on Robbins Street 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday Oct. 4.

“Our goal with this event is to open our doors to the public so they can come and see what we do and how we do it,” said Gary A. Simone Jr., president of the fire company. “We decided to run the blood drive simultaneously so we could maximize the help we could give people who really rely on the blood donations.”

The firehouse, 26 Robbins Street in Toms River, will host the Central Jersey Blood Bank. Check out a fire safety tour, along with the Saint Barnabas Fire Safety Trailer and firehouse members. Simone said the event will stress the need for fire safety and prevention. There will also be a table set up with information on the up-coming Halloween Parade.

Simone said the event also hopes to find some new faces to join the volunteer fire department.

“The Toms River Fire Company #1 handles one of the largest response areas in the entire township, and along with our sister company, Toms River #2, responded to nearly 900 emergency calls last year with a 100 percent volunteer staff,” Simone said.

Anyone can come though — it’s a chance to check out the firehouse, give a donation of blood to the blood bank or a monetary donation to the fire department. Simone said that in that way, it’s a chance to help save lives.

There is no need to register for the free event, but for more information, check out the fire department’s website.