ANTIGONISH, N.S. — ANTIGONISH - How can we help?
That was a question organizer Clarence Deyoung and volunteers with the annual Monsignor Hugh MacPherson Council of the Knights of Columbus toy drive fielded on countless occasions.
"People, once again, have been amazing," he said.
This year, the initiative provided Christmas packages for 192 families - 99 from town and 93 from the county – up from 162 in 2018; 433 children received gifts, an increase from last year's 345.
“It depends on how you measure success,” Deyoung said, in commenting on those numbers, considering organizers want to reach as many people as possible, but there is also an obvious concern over the growing need in our communities.
He added "there are people struggling," noting the financial pressures being felt by families making minimum wage incomes.
Deyoung noted there are more and more younger families receiving help, particularly single mothers with children.
When it comes to how people helped, as usual, there were a variety of ways, including Knights and other volunteers who provided their time to make sure everything was successful.
"We couldn't make it happen without them," Deyoung said, noting volunteers - ranging in age from 12 to 78 - contributed more than 1,560 hours to the initiative, which launched Nov. 25.
Volunteers at the drive headquarters - the 'toy house' at Antigonish Market Square - were helping visitors up until Christmas Eve morning.
“They were, once again, absolutely fantastic," he added.
For the second consecutive year, the Knights celebrated those volunteers with a potluck dinner, which took place Jan. 19 in the Oak and Owl Club at the St. Andrews District Community Centre.
The eighth year for the toy drive included an increase - financial and otherwise - in contributions; donations of money and toys, along with hats and mittens.
"Everyone was unbelievable," Deyoung said.
Emergency Health Services (EHS) paramedics continued their Stuff-a-Bus tradition, collecting toys and donations on a Saturday at the Antigonish Walmart location.
This year, along the same lines, Antigonish RCMP members launched a Stuff-a-Cruiser event at the Antigonish Atlantic Superstore.
Realtor Kim Silver and her Remax colleagues hosted a free family skate, where people were encouraged to bring toy and donations for the drive.
"Those are just some of the incredible ways in which people helped us," Deyoung said.
There were also many families 'adopted' by others families, office staffs and organizations.
"We had a group of young women come in (to the toy house) and they wanted to help," Deyoung said, noting they adopted a family with seven children.
Rather than purchase gifts for each other, the group of cousins pooled their money.
"There are so many stories of how people supported us," Deyoung said.
One of the keys to success, once again, was the toy house location at Antigonish Market Square.
"It is an incredible space and we are so grateful for their support," Deyoung said.
Planning for the 2020 initiative is already in the works.
"It has become something so special for everyone involved," Deyoung said.
TESTIMONIALS
Here are some excerpts from thank-you messages that toy drive organizers received:
What a shock it was to be given three bags of gifts for my one-year-old girl and my baby due in February.
I cried with relief when I opened the bags.
Last year, I didnt know about this wonderful group of people, and wouldn't ask for help from anyone anyway because my baby was only four months old.
But this year, I found myself struggling just to pay my power and rent, because I was losing hours at work due to pregnancy complications and then I had to go on sick leave.
My EI is just enough to pay the bills, so I didn't know if I was gonna be able to buy new stuff for the baby and what I needed for my one-year-old, and that is besides Christmas presents. What I received for Christmas help from KOC helped me so much, it made me breathe easier.
Thank you KOC volunteers and Clarence DeYoung for all that you do for people like me. Amazing!!
Prayers and love from my family to yours.
I thank you great group of volunteers for the generousity and time consuming process it takes to make it all come together for families like mine.
We are so thankful and grateful for your gifts that you had given to us (the kids). This is going to be the most gifts my kids will ever receive on the Christmas Day; too many that it won't fit on our bed.
It will be an exciting Christmas for them. We will wrap it all and surprise them on Christmas morning as soon as they wake up. Hohohoho!!!
Thank you very much and a happy holiday to all of you. To all the sponsors, the people behind this toy drive initiaitve, all of you - you are all awesome.
Happy holidays to all of you.
Once again, thank you for the great gifts you gave us.
Happy parents here.
