Salvation Army prepares the Toy Shop
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The Salvation Army's Toy Shop on Broadway is almost ready to open Dec. 18-19th.
Food items and toys have been arriving since Nov. 1st, said Donna Acre, Community Ministries Coordinator for The Salvation Amy Tillsonburg.
"First we get the food organized and out of the way, then we set up the toys and do the registrations," said Acre.
Families who have filled out application forms, which can be done 9-12 and 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until Dec. 17th, will be coming in Dec. 18th and 19th to receive their Salvation Army gift card for food hampers and 'shop' for toys.
As of Monday morning registration was at 172, which will benefit 403 people, a bit less than last year's numbers with about a week-and-a-half left to register.
"About 25 less right now. I expect at least another 100 before we're done."
Toys have been steadily arriving this week, she said, and sorted according to age and gender.
"On Friday we have three factories – TRW, Autoneum and Johnson Controls – and their union (Unifor) office making their donations. There's a lot from that. Tillsonburg supports this program so well."
The Tillsonburg Thunder men's hockey team has its 7th annual Teddy Bear Toss Night Saturday, Dec. 13 (7:30 p.m. start), which usually generates another 250-300 stuffed toys.
"We put them in our Teddy Bear spot," said Acre.
On the 18-19th, toy shopping for the children is done with assistance from a personal shopper.
"We try to give them a large, a medium and a small toy, plus books and puzzles, and also a teddy bear."
The traditional toy shop and Christmas hamper program goes back at least 30 years, said Acre, who has been involved the last 32 years.
"It was smaller then and we'd give a bag of toys to people, but it was tougher that way because you don't know what kids want. I think this way provides a more dignified atmosphere for people to 'shop.'"
As the tables empty on the 18-19th, more toys are brought out.
"It's not like all the good toys are gone first because there will be a lot of stuff to bring out."
FEAST OF FRIENDS
The next seasonal event for The Salvation Army is the annual Feast of Friends on Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, which has been moved to North Broadway Baptist Church this year to accommodate more people.
Last year 180 people attended their 2 p.m. Christmas dinner, but they were pressed for space. North Broadway Baptist Church gives them more room, said Acre.
"The idea is don't be alone for Christmas. Come on out and have a good afternoon. It's a really good meal."