Chatham Goodfellows officials collected totes and totes of toys, boxes of food and more than $2,000 in monetary donations over the weekend.
The drop off weekend kicked off the annual “No Child Without a Christmas” campaign.
Tim Mifflin, spokesman for the Goodfellows, said 11 floor totes (roughly 4x4x4) of toys and 100 boxes of non-perishable food were collected.
“This is the launch of what we hope will be another successful year of supporting our community during the holidays,” he said in a media release.
The Goodfellows have made a significant change to the campaign for 2020. The age limit for children receiving toys and gifts this year will be increased this year, to up to age 15, instead of the previous age 12 threshold, Mifflin said.
On Nov. 2, Goodfellows will begin taking online applications for those folks who will be in need this Christmas. Visit the link for more information: chathamgoodfellows.ca
Starting Nov. 9, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, those seeking assistance at Christmas can call 519-354-1146 to register for food and toys.
Also new this year is a virtual Porchlight campaign. In the past, volunteers would go door-to-door seeking monetary donations. This time around, due to COVID-19, people will be able to e-transfer money and light up their porch lights to show support. This is scheduled for Nov. 30.
Community organizations that would like to donate toys and food can e-mail Chatham Goodfellows and a volunteer will arrange to pick up donations, taking care to socially distance. To book an appointment for a pick-up, call 519-354-1146 or e-mail: info@chathamgoodfellows.ca.
