THUNDER BAY -- A local charity drive is a mountain that’s growing every year.
The eighth annual Toy Mountain kicked off at the Cranton Wellness Centre Wednesday afternoon. People can bring unwrapped new gifts to the centre on Memorial Avenue that will be given out by the Salvation Army at Christmas.
“It’s to try and build the biggest toy collection that we can so that we can give to those children who might go without,” Salvation Army executive director Mervyn Halverson said.
Alan Cranton said he got the idea from a friend who runs a similar program in Ottawa. It’s been growing every year. Last year they received more than 300 toys for local children.
“What a great way to give back to the community and we’ve got a great bunch of patients as well that come and see us on a regular basis and they wanted to help out as well,” he said.
Halverson said it’s a great way to make sure children have a special Christmas.
“Just think to see all of those smiling faces at our Christmas community dinner or out when we give the gifts from the community soup van,” he said. “That’s what Christmas is about giving somebody a smile.”
And when a person donates at the centre, their name is entered in a draw for a $500 gift basket.
“You’re giving and you might get something as well,” Halverson said.
Because the drive is for children up to 18, the group asks that people keep teenagers in mind when they donate.
The best gift for them is a gift card.
