They might not be Santa Claus, but that didn't stop volunteers from dropping off boxes of toys to over 1,000 children across Chatham-Kent.
Over 100 volunteers with Chatham Goodfellows spent three days packing up boxes of toys, before setting out Monday night to hand deliver them to families in need as part of the organization's No Child Without a Christmas campaign.
"It's pretty exciting. A lot of the parents try to hide it from their kids, but they're indeed grateful because there's a lot of working poor right now that just can't afford the toys we're putting in the package," said Chatham Goodfellows Director Tim Mifflin. "We just love doing it."
Mifflin said around 600 families in the community received a box, which will benefit between 1,000 to 1,200 children. Each of the boxes weighs roughly 20-40 pounds.
"Each box will contain mittens, toques, three toys large choice per person, colouring books, reading books, stuffed animals, games and little small toys to complete the package," said Mifflin.
All of the toys, which were donated by residents, local businesses and through various Goodfellows fundraising initiatives, were delivered in under three hours Monday night. The No Child Without a Christmas campaign has been running for over 60 years.