Volunteers behind the Saanich Peninsula Secret Santas are inviting the community to breakfast and dinner in what’s shaping up to be an entire day dedicated to the Toys for Tots campaign.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11 the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney hosts two fund-and-toy-raising events — one at breakfast and the other at dinner time. Sherry Moir with Toys for Tots says they had initially planned the evening fundraising business mixer and when they heard about the success of a similar toy program up-Island, they added breakfast to the menu.
For close to five years, a breakfast toy drive in Parksville has been growing, this year collecting an estimated 3,000 toys. Moir said after learning about that success, Toys for Tots thought it would be a good idea to try it out on the Peninsula.
“We are needing more toys right now,” she explained. “The cash donations seem to be going well, close to what was raised last year, but we need more toys.”
The Saanich Peninsula Secret Santas collect new toys for children in need in the community. They plan on having a wrapping party on Dec. 14 and 15 at the Mary Winspear Centre, getting the gifts ready for Christmas.
To get the donations up, Toys for Tots has a Drive Thru Breakfast Toy Drive from 6 to 9 a.m. on Dec. 11. In exchange for a new toy or cash donation, drivers will receive coffee or juice, fruit muffin or scone, courtesy of Island Culinary Service.
That evening, there will be a business mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is by toy or cash donation and guests will be treated to live music, a cash bar and appetizers.
Moir said she hopes the Toys for Tots day will get the gifts over the top for local children during the holiday. Other events are helping the cause this year — including a Friday, Dec. 13 Teddy Bear Toss at the Peninsula Panthers hockey game at Panorama Rec Centre and the ongoing Coins for Kids campaign by the Peninsula News Review.
Toys for Tots is also working alongside Parkland students who have put together gingerbread house kits for purchase. For details on that, and all of the other Saanich Peninsula Secret Santas events, contact Moir at sherry@secretsantas.ca or call 778-402-8784.