Ellington

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — The Hattiesburg Fire Department Firefighters Association will help return the favor to the New York City Firefighters Association this year with a toy drive for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Department spokeswoman Geneva Morgan tells The Hattiesburg American (http://hatne.ws/SkK2xw ) the New York City group has helped with Mississippi toy drives since Hurricane Katrina, but it won't be coming this year because more than 1,000 firefighters were affected by Sandy.

Cecil Allen, Hattiesburg association vice president, said Hattiesburg joins the ranks of several associations from the Gulf Coast in the effort.

Lt. Nick Hanetho, Hattiesburg association president, said the drive is a collaborative effort between associations from Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Biloxi and the Mississippi Professional Firefighters Association.