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Toys for Kids ready to go

Sooke Harbourside Lions change from Toys for Kids to Santa's Anonymous
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Deb Schenk

There was a day when the people of Sooke would donate their gently used toys, fix them up and present them to children at Christmas. These days, due to health regulations and concerns, that no longer happens.

Instead, the Sooke Harboutside Lions will be working with Santa's Anonymous to collect toys for kids in Sooke.  How it will work is that those who wish to donate can purchase a "bear" which has a child's name and age on it and they can shop for that child. There will be a "wish" on the "bear" and the person can then shop specifically for that child and drop it off in the drop box.

"We asked this year to take all of the Sooke kids," said Deb Schenk,  Toys for KIds organizer, from the Harbourside Lions. "This way the children are getting what they want."

The Sooke Harbourside Lions will be at Shoppers Drug Mart for two weekends accepting donations and giving out "bears."

"We're starting with 100 bears from Santa's Anonymous."

Schenk said people can donate money, if they wish, and the Lions will do the shopping for the gifts. Last year, she said, 200 families were helped and 362 kids. Santa's Anonymous spends about $80 per child.

"Santa's Anonymous is working with the Sooke Harbourside Lions to ensure that each child will get a gift.

The Harbourside Lions will be at Shoppers Drug Mart on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 28, 29, 30 and December 5, 6 and 7.