All seven Kiwanis members will be out in full force putting pennies where they belong come Christmas.
“It’s a huge job especially for such a small club,” said president Kelly Ward. “The biggest time commitment is always having somebody at the depot. It’s a huge commitment to have somebody there six days a week.”
The Christmas Hamper Depot hit a hot new location this holiday season – right in the heart of Sidney at 2388 Beacon Ave.
“In terms of visibility it’s great,” said Bill Foster, in his third year volunteering at the depot. “It’ll start picking up next week, but we’re here and ready.”
A small scale version of Santa’s workshop, the depot is where benefactors from the community drop off toy, cash and food donations for the Kiwanis toy drive and the Sidney Lions hamper program.
The Peninsula News Review Coins for Kids campaign supports the toy drive each year, helping fill the need for kids at Christmas.
The small club at times brings in other Kiwanis members to help out with functions, such as the depot and rolling the thousands of dollars worth of dimes, nickels and pennies from the Coins for Kids program. The Kiwanis Club purchases toys to go out along with the hampers that families will pick up Dec. 19 to 21.
“Last year it was around 400 kids and I expect it will be the same this year,” Ward said. They purchase gifts for children from babies to 13 and there are always last minute purchases. “It’s just making sure we have enough to meet what we know about,” Ward said. “You don’t want to turn anybody down.”
Cash and new unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the depot, 2388 Beacon Ave., from now until Dec. 23, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call 250-893-4217.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
You can help
Drop off your Coins for Kids to the News Review at 6-9843 Second St. in Sidney. To add a little more value to your visit, the News Review also has a Sidney Lions Food Bank bin to drop off non-perishable food items.