UPDATE: After public outpouring of support, the toy drive’s goals have been met. Read more below, following original article.
30 teenagers in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington may not have the Christmas they want because Family and Children’s Services Tree of Hope campaign is short on donated gifts for youth 12 and older.
“We have more than enough presents for children, but for the teens who we serve it’s a different story. We’re short by 30 presents. We need the public’s help to give these youth the Christmas they deserve,” said John Suart, Manager of Community Relations at Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.
Toys have been pouring into the Agency’s 817 Division Street office in Kingston and the 99 Advance Avenue office in Napanee since the Tree of Hope campaign started. Toy drives by 11-year-old Devon Cobb, staff at the Ministry of Health in Kingston, the Newburgh Christmas Concert and CFB Kingston have produced hundreds of toys. Most have been gifts for children under 12.
The Agency has 30 teenagers 12 and older who still need Christmas presents. One girl, age 15, needs winter boots. A boy, age 15, wants a Maple Leafs hockey jersey.
“We’re asking people to call us before the end of the week. We’ll give them all the details about the gifts we need. All they have to do is drop it off at one of our offices,” said Suart.
Just call 613-545-3227 and tell them you want to give a Christmas gift for a teenager in need.
This year, the Tree of Hope will help nearly 1,000 people in nearly 400 families with gifts of Christmas presents and food. Family and Children’s Services has been running Christmas appeals since it started in 1895, making the Tree of Hope campaign and its predecessors one of the oldest continuing Christmas fundraising drives in the region.
People can also give generic donations to Agency for Christmas or year-round activities at www.HelpTreeofHope.ca.
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UPDATE:
Tree of Hope toy drive goes over the top with flood of pledges for teen gifts
Thanks to the generosity of people from across Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, 30 teenagers will get their Christmas after all. Yesterday, Family and Children’s Services put out a public call for help when its Tree of Hope campaign ran short on donated gifts for youth 12 and older. Earlier this morning, the campaign went over the top after a flood of last minutes pledges to help.
Toys had been pouring into the Agency’s 817 Division Street office in Kingston and the 99 Advance Avenue office in Napanee since the Tree of Hope campaign started. Toy drives by 11-year-old Devon Cobb, staff at the Ministry of Health in Kingston, the Newburgh Christmas Concert and CFB Kingston have produced hundreds of toys. But most have been gifts for children under 12. Earlier this week, it looked like 30 teenagers would not be receiving Christmas gifts.
Yesterday, Family and Children’s Services was flooded by calls, emails and visits to our offices in Kingston and Napanee by people eager to help. Our Christmas elves say that this morning we have met all our requirements. The 30 teenagers will get their Christmas presents thanks to the generosity of the community.
This year, the Tree of Hope will help nearly 1,000 people in nearly 400 families with gifts of Christmas presents and food. That includes nearly 900 children. Family and Children’s Services has been running Christmas appeals since it started in 1895, making the Tree of Hope campaign and its predecessors one of the oldest continuing Christmas fundraising drives in the region.
Video: Santa Claus endorses Tree of Hope Campaign (watch below or on Youtube)
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Release source: Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox & Addington | Image: Wikimedia Commons
