Car Buffs And Cyclists Pitching In Means Toys For Kids
By Robert Thomas
A car show put on by the Downtown Moose Jaw Association (DMJA) in mid September is helping to put smiles on children's faces at Christmas.
Held on September 19th the Little Chicago Show & Shine took over Main Street with over 200 cars entered.
On the same day the Moose Jaw Cycle Association ran their annual toy run with people on motorcycles heading up Main Street and down Thatcher Drive West to the Salvation Army Church where they delivered to us to be distributed at Christmas to needy children.
Without anything being officially done some car enthusiasts took it upon themselves to collect toys for the Salvation Army as well, Lt Lester Ward said. A gesture of kindness much appreciated.
Toy Run Helps The Salvation Army Bring Christmas Cheer - During the kickoff of the 2022 Salvation Army Kettle Campaign Lt Lester Ward spoke about the importance of the Toy Run to help make children happy at Christmas - MJ Independent photo.
Speaking at the official kickoff of their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign on Monday morning Lt Ward highly about the cyclist but also the car buffs who pitched in as well.
“ We had a motorcycle toy run here this year in September that coincided with a car show which I think added to it. Honestly, more people came out more support was given. Even through the car show on Main (Street) there were some vehicles set up there collecting toys to go to the Salvation Army,” he said.
“It broadens the horizon in terms of where we can go and we are hoping that that would be the same maybe in years to come. That in partnerships with bigger groups, more together obviously we become bigger and better together.”
He said all toys are taken to the Salvation Army’s church building up on Thatcher Drive West where there is a toy shop set up for parents to come and select toys they would like for their children.
When parents and families go through the Salvation Army’s downtown office applying for a hamper if there are children involved they are issued a ticket of a date and time they may go to the church to select toys for their children.
The toy selection is through an appointment basis to allow parents the opportunity to select the large toy and stocking stuffers for their children without having to worry about large crowds all at the same time.
There are also such things as puzzles and games “things that the family can do together,” he said.
Parents can select one major gift, two or three stocking stuffers and maybe a family game to ensure there are enough toys to go around.
Because it is Santa’s shop children are not allowed to attend so as that the gift comes as a surprise.
Parent’s Reaction To Santa’s Toy Shop
Moving to a toy shop format from the previous system helps bring dignity and gets parents more involved with their families at Christmas.
“It’s a very emotional experience. I have to say I have never experienced anything like it before,” Ward said, adding “when you have a young mom has two, three (children) or even a dad it is no different. When they get to experience and walk through the Toy Shop and see they have a part to play in choosing what the children receives for Christmas it becomes a crying environment.”
Making sure children have gifts and happiness at Christmas is important to Ward.
When you have an experience to encounter a young family that is hurting and in need and they come to you and say ‘I can’t afford to buy anything for my children for Christmas and can you help out’ and to take them through that toy shop and on Christmas morning to realize…mom or dad, it doesn’t matter being able to see their children open their presents that is Christmas for me,” he said.
Downtown Moose Jaw Association Pleasantly Surprised
Car buffs collecting toys for the Salvation Army while at the Little Chicago Show & Shine is seemingly a surprise to the DMJA but they have no problem with it.
“It took a lot of work to get that car show going this year. It was a huge success 220 vehicles signed up in conjunction with the Toy Run on that day. That certainly added that exposure to collecting toys and again an unqualified success. When you hear there was even toys from the car show participants it is an even greater success,” Craig Hemingway Marketing Coordinator with the DMJA said.
“It’s great tp hear and we are definitely planning on doing it (the car show) next year,” Hemingway said.
Golden West Radio Toy Drive End Of This Week
Golden West Radio will be partnering with the Salvation Army at the Canadian Tire store this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“It is also very helpful for the toys for children during Christmas.”