Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter
The West Island Mission (WIM) held a two-day toy drive at Fairview Pointe-Claire last Saturday and Sunday to spruce up its inventory as part of the annual toy drive.
Shoppers were invited to drop off unwrapped toys to support the holiday campaign to help bring joy to families who are struggling to make ends meet during these difficult times.
Each year, toys are collected from participating corporations that gather stock and arrange for the bulk of toys to be picked up at the end of the campaign. Individual community members also drop off donations at WIM’s food bank in Pointe-Claire.
With the growing need this year, WIM organized the additional two-day campaign directly in the West Island community’s city centre mall.
“This is a wonderful initiative which reminds people to give to others while doing their own holiday shopping. It is so convenient to have the opportunity to give directly in the mall,” a woman named Karen said to The Suburban as she was dropping off toys and gift cards donations.
WIM is a local food bank that serves 350 families experiencing food insecurity in the West Island. Every holiday season, it offers toys to help the children of its clients experience some holiday cheer.
Jay Walker of Global News was involved with the initiative from the start this year. Growing up in Pierrefonds, he talked about how he was aware of the needs, particularly in certain pockets of the West Island, and was made aware that the need has expanded significantly. “So far the response has been incredible. When I learned about the need, it was inexcusable not to get involved and try to be a part of this.”
It is important for children to be celebrated throughout the year, and specifically throughout the holiday season, Toy drive volunteer Carly Wener-Fridman told The Suburban.