The team at the Cranton Wellness Centre hoping to keep raising the altitude of their Toy Mountain.
The ninth annual toy drive for the Salvation Army was launched Monday at the wellness centre on Memorial Avenue and manager Alan Cranton said they hope to beat last year's record of 311 gifts collected for children and teens.
"It's really important people understand for some children and teens this is the only present they get," said Cranton.
The cause is something that struck home for Cranton and his staff eight years ago.
"When we sat down as an office to decide what we wanted to do, we really felt the Salvation Army was a visible entity in the community and and somebody that needed help," said Cranton.
The gifts are handed out to children at the Salvation Army's Christmas dinner and through the organization's soup van.
Salvation Army executive director Major Rob Kerr said the initiative is a great example of the community coming together to support a great cause.
"You can imagine what it's like if you're a child going to school and all your friends are talking about the toys they're going to open and you don't know if there's going to be any toys in your house or not," he said.
"If you get a toy that's given to you, it's wrapped and you're able to open it that just brings a lot of joy to your heart. To be a part of helping kids enjoy that at Christmas, that's fantastic," Kerr said.
While the drive collects toys for younger children, gifts for teens are also needed.
"It's always easy for us to get stuffed animals and Barbie dolls for the little kids. The teens are the ones that are generally forgotten," said Kerr, noting gift cards and electronics are ideal gifts for teenagers.
Donations can be dropped off at the Cranton Wellness Centre until Dec. 20. Anyone who makes a donation will have their name entered in a draw for a gift basket.
