Toy drive helps the Salvati...

PARRY SOUND – Earlier this week the Salvation Army kicked off its Christmas campaign and is looking for support from the community to make it a success.
On Tuesday evening, Wal-Mart associates donated $500 in new toys to the Salvation Army, which will be given to local needy children this Christmas.
“It has been a difficult couple of years and we are asking for our community’s support so that more families will be able to enjoy the holidays this year,” said Salvation Army Captain Peter van Duinen.
Additionally, this weekend the Salvation Army launches its fifth annual EMS Holiday Toy Drive benefiting local children and families this Christmas.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted at a number of locations and during the Santa Claus parade in Parry Sound on Saturday.
Since its inception four years ago, the EMS Holiday Toy Drive has collected more than 3,500 toys and $50,000 in cash donations from the generous residents and businesses of Parry Sound.
All donations will be distributed to local children and families by The Salvation Army.
The Parry Sound EMS will have three ambulances stationed around town on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Toys can be dropped of at the ambulances at the following locations: Wal-Mart, The Bargain Shop and Parry Sound Mall. Paramedics will also be collecting toys along the parade route during the Parry Sound Santa Claus Parade as well.
OPP members will also have a cruiser at the Wal-Mart parking lot between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. collected food for those in need.
Police are hoping to fill the cruiser with non-perishable items to assist local persons in the coming months.
How can you help? Adopt a family for Christmas through the North Star’s Adopt-a-Family program; share the holiday experience by donating toys, clothing and food; volunteer to be a bell ringer at a kettle or host a collection box for toys or food.
The Salvation Army is an international Christian church that began its work in Parry Sound in 1887 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the West Parry Sound District. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in Parry Sound and 120 countries around the world.
For more information on how you can help, call the Salvation Army at 746-5391 or the North Star at 746-2104.
SOURCE:www.cottagecountrynow.ca