More than 100 children from Alexandria's rec center programs attended the Black Fire Service Professionals holiday toy party Dec. 21 at the Hilton Mark Center.

“I went to a party like this as a kid growing up in D.C.,” said Capt. Thurston McClain, who founded the event 13 years ago. “I don't have kids of my own so this is my way of giving back to the community.”

As an employee organization within the city, the BFSPA has yearly provided gifts for over 100 children and strives to see that no child in Alexandria goes without a gift for the holiday season.

“I would like to thank Don Simpson and Simpson Development, Mayor Bill Euille, Clyde's Restaurant, Velocity Bikes, The Pro Bicycle Shop and the Hilton Mark Center for helping make our toy drive a success,” McClain said. “And a special thanks to our friends at the Association of African American Financial Advisors. The BFSPA relies heavily on the generous donations of our community partners to make each year's toy drive successful.”