Lions Club, Reliable Ford launch 25th annual Christmas drive

FERGUS – The Fergus Lions Club is back again with its 25th annual Christmas drive in support of the Centre Wellington Food Bank.

What used to be a toy drive is now, for its fourth year in a row, a gift card drive in lieu of actual toys.

The Lions, in conjunction with Reliable Ford in Fergus, made the change during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve pivoted a little with the Centre Wellington Food Bank [because] they preferred gift cards,” said Fergus Lions Club president Margaret Murray.

More than just the pandemic, gift cards took the place of toys because there was little space to store them. With gift cards, families also have the choice of which gifts to purchase for their loved ones.

The Christmas gift card drive began on Nov. 13 and is in “full swing” until Dec. 15.

Once again, cards can be dropped off during business hours in the front showroom at Reliable Ford.

“They have set up a Christmas tree with a box that will hold all of the gift cards, and please put your receipt with them,” advised Murray. “They accept cash as well.”

For cash donations, talk to the front desk at Reliable Ford and they will take it from there.

The Fergus Lions Club will also be donating $2,500 to the food bank on the last day of collecting donations, something it does every year.

For any questions regarding the Christmas drive, visit ferguslionsclub.org/contact or visit its Facebook page “Fergus Lions Club A15.”

“We just like to thank the community for helping the Lions Club with this,” said Murray.

“We have got a very giving community and the Fergus Lions Club is one of the clubs in our area that really benefit from such generous people that live in this community.”