Dear Editor:
The Fergus Lions’ Toy drive was a different rendition of the regular event this year, due to COVID-19 circumstances which prevented us from collection actual toys. We were told that the Centre Wellington Food Bank would instead focus on their Angel program whereby corporate sponsors would provide donations early so as to give the food bank time to allocate them to respective families.
After discussions with Reliable Ford we both agreed we had to come up with something, as our toy drive has been an important one coming into its 25th year and has always done well for those in need at Christmas. We consulted the food bank and they encouraged an idea for gift cards and cash as opposed to toys. We agreed and so the challenge was on.
So, the tree went up at Reliable Ford with a large wrapped gift box for the cash and gift card donations. However, with really a short timeframe to accomplish our goal, the Fergus Lions Club stepped up with a $2000 cash donation and the project was a go.
Because we only had a short two-week timetable, we had to go to our local media partners like the Wellington Advertiser, who always support us with coverage, and the Grand 101 radio station who, along with a spot on “Swap Talk” and their daily coverage, helped a great deal. Along with that, my daughter, Kelly Waterhouse, went on Facebook and generated a huge addition through friends to add to the project.
From start to finish two weeks later, we realized that the people who live in Centre Wellington are the real angels, along with local corporate sponsors. We raised an amazing $8,000 in cash and gift cards.
There are so many people to thank, especially the staff of Reliable Ford and the Fergus Lions members who made this story a success along with the newspaper and radio involvement.
The real heroes are the people in our community, who year after year support our charitable events. The other benefit realized was the small businesses in the area received timely help from the results of this toy drive, as people supported our local retailers.
Reliable Ford and the Fergus Lions Club would like to wish everyone involved a very Merry Christmas and a wish for extended good health in 2021.
Gary Waterhouse,
Toy Drive chairman,
Fergus Lions Club