Toy Mountain campaign back for another Christmas season

The Cranton Wellness Centre is trying to move mountains – of toys.

The Memorial Avenue medical facility on Wednesday launched its 11th annual Toy Mountain campaign, setting a goal of collecting at least 401 toys in 2015.

That’s one more than they collected a year ago, said owner Alan Cranton.

“It’s for children who are disadvantaged in Thunder Bay,” Cranton said. “We’re looking after the teens as well as the pre-teens. We are collecting gifts that are new, unwrapped that would be really welcomed by those children.”

The campaign will also accept cash and gift card donations should a donor not know what to purchase.

“This is something we’ve taken on for 11 years and we do want to continue doing this,” Cranton said.

“For me it’s a good, warm fuzzy (feeling), a think I want to do for the Christmas season.”

The toys will be collected throughout the month of December by the local Salvation Army chapter and donated to children in need.

Lori Mitchell, executive director at the Salvation Army, called it a great partnership.

“It’s really wonderful for us,” she said.

“Everyone has a story. A lot of times we look at families and say they should work harder or they should try more. But really, there’s a story behind every situation. So we recognize there is a great need here in the city. Basically 400 toys represent more than 100 children we can help.”

To donate, drop an unwrapped present at the Cranton Wellness Centre at 701 Memorial Ave. during regular business hours.