CORNWALL, Ontario – The Optimist Club of Cornwall has launched its Annual Optimist Toy Drive on Tuesday, Nov, 15 at the Bud Guilbeault Youth Center in Optimist Park. This year the Optimist Club hopes to collect 3, 000 toys for 1, 500 children in need in the area. One of the major initiatives of the Toy Drive is the Angel Trees. These trees are decorated with angels. Each angel indicates the age and gender of a child for whom the gift is designated. People are asked to choose an angel from the tree and purchase gift for a child of that age and gender.
Although there are numerous businesses already requesting a tree this year, there is always room for more community support. Ralph Brunton, President of the Optimist Club of Cornwall explained his club coordinates with the Salvation Army and Sparkys’ to provide these gifts to the children. He said, “The families that receive the food (from the Children’s Christmas Fund Food drive), the children get toys.”
Anita Tremblay, Chair of the Toy Drive said, “It’s all about the kids, this (the Toy Drive) is our big thing.” With that in mind she has drafted a letter to be sent out to local business asking for support.
As part of the Toy Drive Brunton explained a Teddy Bear Toss is planned on Dec. 1 at the Colts game. The bears acquired from the toss will be added to the other gifts.
All of the unwrapped gifts must be received before Dec. 14 to allow for sorting and organizing before the distribution date of Dec. 20. The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is providing warehouse space on Campbell Street for the sorting and storage of toys.
Brunton also said, “We are looking for Volunteer Elves to help distribute the gifts.”
To volunteer for the Toy Drive contact Anita Tremblay Chair, Optimist Toy Drive anita_tremblay@hotmail.com
