That’s a wrap! Cineplex-C100 Toy Drive makes Christmas brighter for kids in need

by Maritime
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    This year, thousands of children in the Halifax Regional Municipality will have the pleasure of opening a new Christmas gift, thanks to the annual Cineplex-C100 Toy Drive. 

    For 17 years, the Toy Drive has been partnering with local radio to say 'thank you' to donors and get the word out for this wonderful cause. This year, C100 did a live broadcast from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on both Thursday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 10 from the Cineplex Theatre in Dartmouth Crossing and the Scotiabank Theatre in Bayers Lake. 

    The show of support from the community came from everywhere: from corporate donors to teams to families. Owner of Comfort Keepers, Paru, and her daughter came in with bags full of toys collected from friends, family and employees. She says, "When we first arrived in Canada in 2001, The Salvation Army helped my family during Christmas-it holds a special place in my heart."

    The need for Christmas assistance has increased since last year. With the rising cost of living, job insecurity and increased food costs, parents often find it difficult to purchase small gifts for their children on top of trying to make ends meet. Teenagers in struggling families are often the first to miss out on the excitement of opening a gift on Christmas morning. C100 made an appeal to donors to keep older kids in mind by asking for donations of gift cards. Bell Aliant responded to this call and by donating $2000 worth of gift cards. 

    All of items donated to the Cineplex Toy Drive will soon make their way under the trees of families in need. Last year, the toy drive collected over 25,000 toys and gift cards, providing thousands of families in HRM with a bright and joyful Christmas morning. 

    Many thanks to all of our donors for their generous contribution to the families in need in HRM!

    Here are a few snapshots from the drive:

    Toy Drive 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Comfort Keepers owner, Paru, and her daughter speaking to C100's Moya on her reason for giving.

    Toy Drive 2

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Alicia, age 4, was born to donate! Her family has generously donated to the Toy Drive for over ten years.