The Salvation Army is looking for some help in its effort to supply 300 children in the city and area with a toy for Christmas this year.
“We hit a lull because of the fire happening,” explained Captain Glen Fraser, who noted after focusing attention on helping those left in need after the apartments in old hospital in the city was destroyed “we got ourselves together and realized our toy supply is short.”
Fraser said while they have a need for toys for all ages, the biggest need is for children aged 10-13. He said people seem to like shopping for younger children, and that leaves suitable toys for older family members in shorter supply.
The toys are needed by the middle of next week (Dec. 17) in order to be packaged and distributed, said Fraser, adding people can most easily drop toys off at the Thrift Store on Betts Ave.
In terms of need, Fraser said it is growing.
Last year the Salvation Army provided 200 family hampers. This year requests have come from 250 families.
“That's a 25 per cent increase,” said Fraser.
And there is a need for toys for 300 children, up 75 from 2014.
Fraser said even when an economy is good some people suffer, especially those earning the lowest wages as they are squeezed by home rentals climbing and similar increases. Then a car breaks down, or someone in the family needs dental work, and money for the holidays is stretched too tight to cover everything.
As for donations in the Salvation Army kettles, while Fraser termed them a bit slow, he added he remains optimistic people will be giving.
“I tend to think of it as a snowball, it starts off rolling down the hill slowly, but it gets going faster,” he said, adding he hopes as the season rolls on the kettle donations will climb.
