By Angie Sullivan
The Keswick Optimist Toy Drive is gearing up for its biggest year yet, with nearly 600 children already registered and numbers expected to surpass 1,000 by December.
Jennifer Carter, president of the Optimist Club of Keswick, said last year’s event provided for over 800 children across Georgina. “This year we are already at almost 600 kids and will likely get to over 1000 by the distribution week.”
Distribution will be held from Monday, Dec. 8 to Friday, Dec. 12 at Keswick Christian Church. Families will be allocated specific dates and times to come in and select gifts for their children.
“It takes numerous people to make this happen,” Carter said. “From the volunteers who give countless hours stocking tables, to the elves who take families around to select their gifts, to the generous businesses who donate food to keep the volunteers fed. It’s truly a collaborative effort of the whole community.”
A key component of the toy drive is the Adopt-a-Family program, which has expanded this year. “Last year we adopted 52 local families to local businesses and community members. This year we have 59 families adopted and we continue to expand the program,” Carter said.
The program matches businesses or community members with families based on their preferences. They receive wish lists from the children, purchase the gifts, and drop them off on Sunday, December 7. The toy drive then arranges for families to pick up their gifts during the toy distribution.
Residents can donate new toys at any fire station or police station in Georgina, as well as at numerous local businesses across the area.
Extra drop-off locations will be posted on the Optimist Club of Keswick’s Facebook page. Financial donations can be e-transferred to keswickoptimisttreasurer@gmail.com
The toy drive will also be collecting donations in Keswick on Saturday, Nov. 29 in person at the following locations:
Walmart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the Georgina Fire Department
Canadian Tire from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with York Regional Police Holiday Heroes
Giant Tiger in Sutton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Volunteers are needed and those interested can email optimisttoydrive@gmail.com for more information.
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