AMHERST – Employees at Amherst Toyota and workers with the Christmas for Kids program are hard at work for another year, helping Santa reach all the kids in Amherst this Christmas.
Jean Miller of Christmas for Kids and Glenn Roberts of Amherst Toyota officially launched the toy drive yesterday afternoon.
“We’ve done four of them so far,” said Roberts. “We’ve gradually gotten bigger and bigger.”
Roberts said the drive receives great support from the minor hockey and football teams the company supports. Some of the players are involved in the parade, coming up on Saturday, to help collect the toys.
Anyone who donates a toy at the dealership receives a special gift.
“We give a $5 gift certificate, so they get something back for giving,” he said. “We’re hoping this is our biggest year yet.”
Last year, the toy drive filled the box of a mid-size truck. This year, they’ve upgraded to a full-size truck.
“If we could do that, then we would be extremely successful.”
Miller said they could really use toys for children under three and over 12 years old.
“We have a hard time gifting for children under three,” she said. “Toys, when they come out, are three and over. What we need is six months, one year or two year. They aren’t expensive toys because they have to be age appropriate.”
The toy drive could also use items for children over the age of 12. Donations can be made at the Amherst Centre Mall, during the Santa Clause Parade on Saturday, and at the dealership. The toy drive ends Dec. 14.
jturner@amehrstdaily.com
