You Can Help
By John Swartz
It may be early to be thinking about Christmas and gift giving, but several organizations in Orillia have donation programs in operation right now you could consider supporting.
The City of Orillia’s annual Toys for Tickets program is available to make use of from now to December 2. Parking tickets can be paid for with toys. You can bring your ticket and a toy (unwrapped, with sales receipt) of equal value to the ticket fine to City Hall and your ticket is covered. While it may not take the bite out of being ticketed, at least you’ll know right away where your money is going. The toys will be given to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Child Advocacy Centre Simcoe/Muskoka for distribution.
The program began in 2006 and accounts for $35,000 of donated toys. Last year the Society of St. Vincent de Paul supported 60 families.
Helping Hands has a program too. The Fill a Van food drive is set up so you can donate non-perishable food or cash. Just call 705-325-7861 by December 13 to arrange your donation.
The Orillia OPP is collecting clothing for families in need. New socks, or used winter clothing can be donated at partner drop-offs, Homework Fit Studio, Sarahannedipity, Orillia Sports Medicine, Kahuna Surf Shop, or the detachment on Peter Street by November 29.
The Sharing Place Food Centre would like those donating food or cash specifically for their holiday hampers to do so by December 1. You can also bring along non-perishable food to the Santa Claus parade November 17 in downtown Orillia and watch for the Toromont Cat float, the goal is to fill up the bucket on the front end loader with food.
(Photo by Stock Snap/Pixabay)
