Salvation Army Orillia is bringing out the Christmas spirit a little early this year.
On Saturday, the organization is holding a Christmas in July Toy Drive to begin collecting gifts for the 2024 holiday season.
Members of the Salvation Army, the Orillia OPP, and Fresh Radio 93.1 will be at the Orillia Walmart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect toy donations from the public, with the Salvation Army brass band playing Christmas music to spread holiday cheer in July.
Last year, the Salvation Army gave 1,079 children Christmas gifts, a figure that’s expected to continue climbing this year “because the need is continuing to grow,” said Salvation Army Capt. Josh Howard.
With growing need in the community, the organization decided to roll out its first-ever July toy drive this summer.
“We’re excited to try something new, and we know Orillia will step up and support in the ways they always do,” Howard told OrilliaMatters. “If we’re able to get a head start on things, that really helps us.”
Whether residents want to donate “classic” gifts, like basketballs or stuffed animals, or the “hot, fun” items popular with youth today, Howard said the Salvation Army is accepting a variety of donations at the toy drive.
“Anything small, medium, large … anything is helpful, and the ages are from birth up to teen because we’ve got need in all of the age categories,” he said.
The Salvation Army will also be accepting other donations at the toy drive.
“If people don’t want to do toys and they want to do monetary or gift card donations, those are options, too, because we can always put that to use also,” Howard said.
