The Salvation Army has just wrapped up their Toy Drive with NorthwesTel.
This year’s drive ran from November 15th to December 12th. NorthwesTel was busy collecting toys from several retail locations across Yellowknife and Whitehorse to help support the Salvation Army.
The Toy Drive has been a longstanding support for the Salvation Army for a number of years. This year, over 250 toys have been collected, and will be sent out to children for Christmas Day. Additional shipments of toys are still expected to come in, and Salvation Army Officer Lt. Jason Brinson is expecting it to be a great holiday season.
In the last few years, the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges to the Toy Drive. Lt. Brinson shared how this year fared in regards to lifting restrictions.
“I would say it went easier, but the community is very very supportive, and so we’re very appreciative of everyone who donates to the Salvation Army year round, and particularly at Christmas, when we have some of these specialized programs that are going on.”
Toys for the NorthwesTel drive can still be delivered until the end of the business day on Friday, December 16th. The only requirement is that the toys be new, and unwrapped. The 250 toys collected this year were done so solely by NorthwesTel, which Brinson believes may be a new record for the Toy Drive, but the number is not final yet.
“It’s always a joyful experience to watch children open their presents. I’ve experienced that myself, and we’re fortunate to be able to assist others to bring joy to children.”
Up to 200 children are registered with the toy drive, and will receive toys from the Salvation Army this Christmas.
