The Christmas season is just around the corner and the Fergus Lions Club is asking the community to continue its giving spirt.
The Lions kicked off their annual toy drive and presented a $2,000 donation to the Centre Wellington Food Bank at Reliable Motors in Fergus on Nov. 15.
Those wishing to donate a toy, gift or money can drop them off at Reliable Motors until Dec. 12 or bring them to the Fergus Santa Claus parade on Dec. 2.
Lions toy drive coordinator Gary Waterhouse is hoping to top last year’s drive, which generated 10 full truckloads of toys.
Centre Wellington Food Bank chair Jackie Andrews said the toy drive is important for the community.
“The people that we help, our food bank family, are the lowest five per cent, income wise, in our community,” she said. “This is an opportunity for them to go shopping on hamper day and not have to worry about how much money they are spending but to go into a toy shop, look and see the toys and choose what they would want for their children.”
Last year the Centre Wellington Food Bank served 196 families in the community over the Christmas season and Andrews predicts numbers will be similar this year.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the Lions Club because they are truly the ambassadors for the food bank,” said Andrews.
“They give everybody in our community an opportunity to help.”
Waterhouse said the Lions have been holding the toy drive for nearly 20 years.
“I mean, the whole thing is based around Christmas. It’s the Christmas spirit, that’s what we’re trying to promote in the community,” he said.
“It’s Christmas time; it’s time to look after each other.”
New, unwrapped toys, gift cards and cash donations are accepted. “Any toy that either your child or your grandchild, your niece your nephew, would like is wonderful,” said Andrews.
She added the food bank is looking for gifts for kids of all ages, and particularly for teenage boys.
