The Carlyle and Area 2016 Toy Drive is currently underway, but it's not too late to donate or to refer a family in need, according to Jenn Sedor, Cornerstone Family and Youth Coordinator.
“This is really a local effort,” says Sedor. “Last year, The Bargain! Shop, Southern Plains Co-op and CFY helped to coordinate and distribute 238 gifts to kids from Carlyle, Arcola, Manor, White Bear First Nation, Pheasant Rump First Nation, Wawota, Kennedy, Ochapowace First Nation and Whitewood.”
“Each child in need- and the age range is infant to 17- receives a Christmas stocking and a Santa gift. And it goes without saying that many, many of those gifts were donated by people from throughout those same communities in our area.”
“This year, we're very excited to add the RBC in Carlyle to our toy donation team,” she says. “We're grateful to everyone who helps in any way. It's really community supporting community.”
Sedor says there are two ways to get involved. “Organizations can contact Jenn Sedor or Shannon MacLeod to participate, and to maintain confidentiality we ask any individuals in need seek their church, band office, school, local family centre or other particpating organization.”
“The other way to help is to drop off a donation of cash or a new, unwrapped gift to The Bargain! Shop, Southern Plains Co-op grocery store in Carlyle or the Royal Bank (RBC) in Carlyle.”
“I must stress that this process is entirely confidential,” adds Sedor.
Shannon MacLeod of The Bargain! Shop says: “We'd really like to thank everybody for their support last year and we really appreciate how tough it is for everybody this year, too. That's why we are so grateful to everyone who supports the Toy Drive. They're really supporting their neighbours.”
“This is a local event from start to finish,” adds Sedor. “The community identifies need in the community. Members of the community provide the gifts, wrap the gifts and deliver the gifts.”
“It's about coming together at Christmas and helping out your neighbour.”
