An Orillia volleyball team is serving up Christmas gifts for local youth in need this year.
The Orillia Suns 18U volleyball team bought and donated gifts for the Simcoe County Paramedics Toy and Food Drive following their practice on Wednesday evening.
Coach Maxine Scott says the toy drive is something the team began contributing to last year.
"It's important for the girls to learn about giving back," she said. "It teaches them to be responsible citizens."
Scott says all her players were excited to help with the fundraiser.
"They are a pretty kind group to begin with," she said. "They were all on board to do this."
Toy drives are seemingly more important than ever this holiday season with many families facing financial uncertainties.
"News reports are saying everybody is using food banks more," Scott said. "That's why it's important for the girls to be giving back to the community."
Scott says a lot of her players are in "very comfortable" situations.
"If they can help somebody else and think beyond themselves, it would be helpful," she said.
Scott hopes other local sports teams, clubs, and groups in the community may find inspiration from the Suns initiative.
"The hope is that this will spread," she said. "We hope everyone will see that it's important to volunteer, help, and give."
Having the players do the shopping for beneficiaries of the toy and food drive will generate a lot of smiles on Christmas morning, Scott says.
"Toy drives are often in need of things for teens," she said. "Teens shopping for teens is perfect, which is why this is a good fit."
The Suns have only played in one tournament this season on Nov. 11, where they did not fare well. Leading into their next tournament on Dec. 17 in Barrie, Scott hopes the toy and food drive initiative will create some team chemistry.
"Any activities that we can do together help to make our team feel more like a second family," she said. "We always want the players to be working together toward a common goal."
If you would also like to donate to the Simcoe County Paramedics Toy and Food Drive, click here.
