The Sportsplex here was a flurry of activity on Dec. 13 and 14 as more than 100 volunteers helped coordinate toy and food donations for the Centre Wellington Food Bank’s (CWFB) Christmas Hamper and Christmas Angel Program.
“I am so proud of my community,” said Centre Wellington Food Bank board chair Jackie Andrews. “They have no idea who they are helping directly, but they do it any way.”
The toy donations, more than ten tables full, were part of the Fergus Lions Club and Reliable Ford 2012 Toy Drive.
“We have five truck loads of toys donated to us. It should do a lot for the food bank in Fergus,” said Gary Waterhouse, Fergus Lion and toy drive chair.
“There was tremendous support from the community. I can’t say enough about that. I think it was one of the best years. People are understanding that the need gets greater every year.”
In total, the toy drive brought in 24 gift cards equalling $150, plus $250 in cash donations, and hundreds of toys for children of all ages.
“It’s a great partnership,” Waterhouse said of the Ford dealership’s support of the toy drive for the past 14 years. “Reliable Ford always does a fantastic job for us. They put up the tree, make the space in their showroom and collect the cash and gift cards. Sherry Woodruff, the receptionist there, is what I like to call Santa’s most important helper. She’s my right-hand person.”
The Fergus Lions Club donated $1,750 in cash to the food bank to launch the campaign in early December.
Andrews said the toys will be provided to families who have children or for aunts or grandparents who need toys for gifts in their family.
The donated toys were coordinated for families who took part in the food bank’s Christmas Hamper program.
“We have had requests for 150 hampers ready to go today, but by the end of next week, we’ll have at least 175 hampers, as requests continue to come in,” Andrews said on Dec. 14.
Each Christmas food hamper box was hand painted with images of Santa Claus and a Christmas tree by volunteers Alex and Willow Hobson, of Elora, along with members of their painting group.
The CWFB’s 2012 Angel Gift Program was also part of the day’s activities, with adopt-a-family packages being compiled.
“We’re short of Angel donors,” said Andrews, who noted that as of Dec. 14, 46 teenagers in the Angel program had yet to be adopted. “We’ll be giving gift cards so everyone is covered.”
Any surplus in toys from the toy drive will go to fill in the need in the adopt-a-family campaign.
“The Ladies Auxiliary of the Fergus Legion donated $2,000 plus $1,000 for gifts for teenagers, because they are the hardest to buy for,” said Andrews.
She added Centre Wellington District High School’s leadership class adopted 38 teen angels in the program as part of a class project organized by student Danielle Burns.
“It’s amazing. For our clients, there is more stress at Christmas. This allows them to alleviate some stress and gives them a sense of dignity, and helps their kids feel like everyone else at school,” said Andrews.
Local businesses, such as Jefferson Corporation, A.O. Smith, Community Living and SM Polymers also took part in helping the Christmas Hamper program.
Donations will be accepted until Dec. 21 and the Scotia Bank in Fergus will continue to support the turkey drive, where donations of $20 will purchase meat for clients of the CWFB, and the bank will match the funds to donate back to the CWFB.
“We live in such an awesome community,” said Andrews. “You see how all food banks are hurting. This community is so amazing. We [at the food bank] are so blessed. Our volunteers always help.”
