The Salvation Army in Melfort is hoping more people will donate toys for needy kids this year. So far the organization is short of the number of toys needed for it's Christmas hampers. Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW.

By Doug Lett

salvation army toy drive

Salvation Army in Melfort looking for Christmas toy donations

Dec 2, 2022 | 2:37 PM

The Salvation Army in Melfort is once again asking for help in meeting the needs of kids and families at Christmas.

A toy drive in conjunction with the Bargain Shop ends on Saturday, December 3rd. Besides people dropping off toys, The Bargain Shop will donate 10 per cent of their sales to the Salvation Army on Saturday.

Glenna Cryderman, auxiliary captain with the Salvation Army, says the toy drive will continue until just before Christmas, but the need in the region is real.

“All the toys that are given, that’s what we give out to children in this area for Christmas,” she said, adding even after the Bargain Shop promotion is over people can still donate at the Salvation Army.

“It will continue and you can drop your toys off at the Salvation Army for the toy drive up until, at least until we give out hampers on December 21st.”

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Another event is the Teddy Bear Toss with the Melfort Mustangs Friday evening. Last year, the event collected close to 300 teddy bears for needy families, and Cryderman is hoping this year will be even better.

The toy drive is part of the campaign to fill up Christmas hampers for kids and their families. With donations lagging behind previous years, the Salvation Army is hoping people will heed the appeal.

“We all like to give kids gifts, and it would be nice if all the kids could get a nice gift this Christmas,” she said. Cryderman added another way people can donate is through the Christmas kettle campaign.

Last year, the Melfort branch of the Salvation Army distributed 204 hampers, and Cryderman expects this year could be even higher.

For families with children, the hampers will include toys and a voucher or gift card for a Christmas meal.

If the applicants do not have children, the hamper will include a voucher for a Christmas meal.

The Salvation Army is still taking applications for Christmas hampers, she said.

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doug.lett@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @DougLettSK