The Chatham Goodfellows has begun getting toys ready for delivery for the 2018 "No Child Without a Christmas" campaign.
Toys, books, board games, mittens and hygiene products will be packed by hundreds of volunteers over the course of three days, starting on Monday. Items are divided by age group and gender.
“It's truly amazing. It's a labour of love. None of us get paid, we just do it cause its fun,” said Chatham Goodfellows director Tim Mifflin.
The Goodfellows received the toy donations from residents, local businesses and through various fundraising initiatives. Most recently, over 300 stuffed animals were collected at the Chatham Maroons game on December 9 during their annual "Teddy Bear Toss."
The campaign has been running for over 60 years and this year will deliver donations to nearly 1,500 local families who registered.
The next step for the campaign will be to deliver the toys on December 17. The following day, hundreds of volunteers will meet again and spend nearly 12 hours packing and delivering 1,500 boxes, each weighing about 65 pounds, filled with ingredients needed to make a Christmas meal to those families in need.
Toys collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 'No Child Without a Christmas' campaign toy drive at Chatham's Breakfast House & Grille Churrascaria (Photo courtesy Ron Blommers)
Toys collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 'No Child Without a Christmas' campaign toy drive at Chatham's Breakfast House & Grille Churrascaria (Photo courtesy Ron Blommers)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Toy donations collected for the Chatham Goodfellows 2018 No Child Without a Christmas campaign (Photo by Allanah Wills)
