Hundreds of toys were collected on behalf of the Iota Phi Toy Drive from 13 businesses in Saugeen Shores and through a donation from Bruce Power and the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce. Ready to help 48 families choose their toys in time for Christmas were, from left, Pastor Donna Kennedy, Bonnie Little, Joan Cunningham, Pat Virtue, and Angela Hupalo, December 19.

Hub Staff

Toys for all ages that had been collected on behalf of the Iota Phi Christmas Toy Drive were ready to go home and be opened by 95 children in 48 Saugeen Shores families for Christmas.

Family members arrived early to the Port Elgin Salvation Army December 19 when, for the first year, they got to choose which presents to take home. “When we took applications and I told them this is how we’re doing it, they were so excited,” said Pastor Donna Kennedy of the Port Elgin Salvation Army. “They know their children better than we do and they maybe know what their children have asked for or what level of learning they're at, and to have to ability to choose gifts, they were all excited about it,” said Kennedy.

A total of 13 Saugeen Shores businesses accepted toys of behalf of Iota Phi and with a donation from Bruce Power and the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce added to the mix, the donations filled half the holding space at the Salvation Army location, with Kennedy admitting that the Saugeen Shores community is “very generous”.

The Salvation Army, located at 553 Bricker Street, will be open to accept donations for the Food Bank on December 20 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Pastor Kennedy said this was her first Christmas working in Saugeen Shores but was amazed with the community response and the amount donated recently. The hamper program will support 103 families in Saugeen Shores and surrounding area. “From what I've seen it’s an amazing response from the community...the firefighters and the police, they each had a weekend and did amazing.” Kennedy added that Westlinks will be having a dinner to benefit the Food Bank December 20.

The Salvation Army Food Bank collects food all year long and is regularly open to accept donations on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tables divided into age categories were filled with family games, barbie dolls, action figures and hatchimals which were collected on behalf of the Iota Phi Christmas Toy Drive.

Recent Food Drives that have taken place in Saugeen Shores have allowed the Salvation Army Food Bank to stock its shelves. Food donations are accepted weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.