The 2021 Northwestel and Salvation Army holiday toy drive kicked off Nov. 15.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Salvation Army does these kind of drives because we want to make sure that each child has something for Christmas,SA国际影视传媒� said Jason Brinson, the Salvation ArmySA国际影视传媒檚 executive director. SA国际影视传媒淲e know that sometimes people will struggle between having to spend money in other areas. We donSA国际影视传媒檛 want for people to have to decide between their hydro bill and a toy for their children, if we can provide that (toy) for someone, that means they can redirect funds elsewhere to something else thatSA国际影视传媒檚 also important to them.SA国际影视传媒�

Donations for the toy drive, which runs to Dec. 10, can be dropped off at NorthwestelSA国际影视传媒檚 retail centre or at the Salvation Army, where a toy shop will be accessible in the future.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople can come around and shop for the toy, rather than being issued the toy,SA国际影视传媒� said Brinson. SA国际影视传媒淭hat provides a lot of joy for us.SA国际影视传媒�

As for a goal for the toy drive, Brinson says SA国际影视传媒渢he more, the merrier.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e do know that there are shortages at times during the year,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e do really try to bridge that gap however we can. Our kettle drive will help to support some of the toys, as well as the food hampers through the year. So we are often able to bridge the needs based on that, but if the community were to provide more toys then we can divert those funds to other services folks need as well.SA国际影视传媒�

During the kick-off event, Paul Gillard, NorthwestelSA国际影视传媒檚 vice-president of business markets, provided a $5,000 donation from the telecom toward the Salvation ArmySA国际影视传媒檚 hamper program.

SA国际影视传媒淲ell, we have a long-standing partnership with the Salvation Army. I think everybody in town is keenly aware of the the value that they add to our community, especially in the challenging times of Covid,SA国际影视传媒� said Gillard. SA国际影视传媒淲e just thought that, again, with Covid and the challenges that everybody is facing, it would be a good year to take a step above the toy drive and add $5,000 dollars to the hamper program, so thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to do.SA国际影视传媒�

Mayor Rebecca Alty, who was also on hand on Nov. 15, called Christmas a SA国际影视传媒渟pecial timeSA国际影视传媒� and lauded the annual toy drive.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 an opportunity to ensure that everybody gets something under the Christmas tree this year,SA国际影视传媒� said Alty. SA国际影视传媒淚 do love that the Salvation Army sets it up like the toy shop so that caregivers can come in and select a toy for their loved ones.

SA国际影视传媒淚f people can, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a great opportunity to support this event and ensure thereSA国际影视传媒檚 Christmas cheer for all.SA国际影视传媒�