Community toy drive aims to give Penticton kids a special Christmas | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Penticton News

Community toy drive aims to give Penticton kids a special Christmas

Locolanding's Diana Stirling, Santa and Gateway Casinos and Entertainment's Jerry Pokorny are getting ready for the first annual GatewayGives and Locolanding Community Toy Drive being held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Nov. 26.
Image Credit: Contributed

PENTICTON - A new collaborative effort between two Penticton businesses hopes to make Christmas a little more special for local children in need.

Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, through Lake City Casino in Penticton, is partnering with Locolanding Adventure Park to collect new, unwrapped gifts for underprivileged children in the South Okanagan.

The first annual Community Toy Drive takes place this year on Nov. 26 from 6 to 9 a.m. at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast. Santa will also be on hand for photos.

The event’s origins grew from an understanding that thousands of gift donations would be needed in order for children in need to have an opportunity to enjoy Christmas.

Over 1,500 children will benefit from GatewayGives and Locolanding Community Toy Drive. The toys will be distributed through 16 organizations including the Salvation Army, South Okanagan Women in Need Transition House, Dragonfly Pond Family Respite Society, Penticton and District Community Resources, Ministry of Children and Families, Ooknakane Friendship Centre, St Vincent de Paul Society,  Penticton and District Society for Community Living, Church of the Nazarene, Penticton Secondary School, Princess Margaret Secondary School, Christopher Housing Society and the Community Action Program Lower Similkameen.

The toy drive is looking for assistance collecting toys for kids of all ages including teenagers. Local businesses interested in having a donation stocking to fill are asked to contact Lauren at Lake City Casino at 250-487-1280, or email lzucchiatti@lakecitycasinos.com.

Those wishing to make a donation but unable to attend the Nov. 26 event can drop gifts off between now and Nov. 26 at the Penticton Chamber of Commerce at 553 Vees Dr. in Penticton.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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