Shannon MacLeod at The Bargain Store says this year’s Carlyle and Area Toy Drive may be the most challenging one yet.
“This is the 4th year that CFY has partnered with The Bargain! Shop and other area businesses and it seems that the need is growing,” says MacLeod. “When economic conditions are challenging, families really feel the effects.
“The need is an ongoing thing and we don’t want anyone to be left out at Christmas, especially if they’ve already had a hard year.”
Macleod adds that The Bargain! Shop has upped their fundraising game with a special event planned for Saturday, Dec. 8, with details to come later.
“I think this will be the year with the most need ever and it’s a real local effort,” says MacLeod. “It’s our fourth year and we want to provide a little bit of Christmas to families from throughout this southeast corner of Saskatchewan.”
The Toy Drive aims to provide a gift from Santa to each young recipient.
“We gladly and gratefully accept donations of unwrapped gifts or cash donations that will allow us to give a little Christmas to boys and girls from birth to age 17,” says MacLeod. “The age group we usually get the most gifts donated to are for children from three to five years of age.”
“I’ve been asked for suggestions for gift ideas for pre-teens and teens and it can be as simple as hygiene stuff, such as shampoo, combs and brushes. Mittens and sweaters are good and so are gift cards, if you’re unsure about a size or what to buy.”
“Last year, we provided gifts for kids from the southeast corner of Saskatchewan, including Carlyle, Arcola, White Bear, Kenosee, Kisbey, Ochapowace, Redvers, Alida, Alameda, Oxbow, Manor, Lampman, Kennedy and Wawota,” says MacLeod.
“Our application deadline to receive a guaranteed gift is Saturday, Dec. 8,” adds MacLeod. “But we’ll do our very best if someone’s left out.”
“We make it work,” she smiles.
MacLeod stresses that the application process is confidential. “We ask that people apply through organizations such as their church, band office, school, local family centre or other participating organization.”
“The organization can email cornerstoneprograms@sasktel.netor if they prefer, get in touch with Shannon MacLeod at The Bargain! Shop in Carlyle.”
“It’s handled entirely through the organization,” explains MacLeod. “They deliver the gifts to the families; we don’t. It’s all private and confidential. And the organization involved just has to commit to delivering the gifts to their recipient between Dec. 20-22.”
“It’s a really hard thing for people to ask for help, especially at Christmastime,” says MacLeod. “So I really want to stress to people that their privacy will be respected.”
MacLeod says that donors have been both generous and creative. “So far, the Southern Plains Co-op grocery store, the Carlyle RBC, The Bargain! Shop in Carlyle and the Bear Claw Casino are on board to accept donations of new unwrapped gifts or cash donations. In the past, some companies have made a contribution to us in lieu of sending out Christmas cards.”
“We’ll be holding our final Wrap Party later in December and people can volunteer to help us out there, too,” she adds.
Southern Plains Co-op manager Chris Kelloway says his staff and customers are “happy to help”,
As are the staff at Bear Claw Casino.
MacLeod agrees, adding: “It’s a real community effort and it’s all about the kids. We’ve had people come in the store who have donated 50 cents every time they come in and it all adds up. Whether people donate 50 cents or fifty dollars, they are giving from their heart and helping their neighbour, which is what Christmas is all about. We’re all neighbours, after all.”
