December brings a time of year that can be filled with family, friends and a heck of a lot of good cheer. For many of us, it’s a season of happiness, one in which we often take for granted our jobs, the roofs over our heads and the food in the refrigerator.
For many others, however, December is another month in which attaining all or most of those things is a daily struggle. While others celebrate the season, some folks continue to hang on to what little they have and try to make ends meet.
It’s good news, then, that the annual Toy Drive for children and families in need will continue this year, despite the recent restructuring of the Sidney and Peninsula Kiwanis Club.
The local Lions Club have stepped up to take on the event during the rebuilding of the local Kiwanis Club, which had reached a dangerously low number of members. The club officially dissolved late last month and is re-forming this month, but not in time to fully organize this year’s toy drive.
The threat that the toy drive would fall by the wayside has been averted.
This is thanks to another local service group that values the efforts of another. Instead of leaving another club to its own devices, the Lions are lending their support to the overall effort of trying to make a family’s holiday season a little brighter.
The Lions have run their own hamper program at the same time as the Kiwanis toy drive, so taking on the extra work was a natural fit. In 2011, the clubs helped around 400 children (as well as their families), and the need continues. It’s a cause supported by the News Review in its annual Coins for Kids program.
Without a doubt, Kiwanis members will return to help in the community and the toy drive will continue.