The COVID-19 pandemic has altered and cancelled some annual donation events this year but the Chatham Goodfellows are working to make sure there is "No Child Without a Christmas" in Chatham-Kent.
A drive-thru donation event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The drop-off location is just off of Bloomfield Road in Chatham, across from Truly Green Greenhouses.
Director of the Chatham Goodfellows Tim Mifflin said donors are asked to stay in their vehicle when dropping off toys or non-perishable food items. If the items are left in the back of a vehicle, a volunteer in personal protective equipment can grab the items to make sure the process is contactless.
"In year's past, particularly when we do the Porchlight campaign or Street Sales or packing and delivering, we rely upon hundreds of volunteers. We've had to change that dramatically," he said. "We have to work with a much smaller group of volunteers. We're looking to keep it a small operation just so that we reduce the risk of anyone contracting COVID-19."
Although fewer volunteers will make the collection and distribution process more difficult this year, Mifflin said it's the adjustments they have to make.
"We're going to do it safely," said Mifflin. "We're going to make sure everyone has a safe and happy Christmas but more importantly there will be no child without a Christmas."
The Goodfellows announced in July that the 2020 Porchlight and Street Sale campaigns would be cancelled due to circumstances surrounding COVID-19, however, there's a slight change in plans.
Mifflin said there will be a virtual Porchlight campaign this year.
"What we're going to do is ask everyone on November 30 to turn their porch light on and go to our website," he said. "We're asking them if they can, to make an e-transfer of whatever they can afford and we will use that money to cover the shortage we have in toys or food as we do each and every year."
Mifflin said the Goodfellows are expecting there to be more of a need this year given the current circumstances brought on by the pandemic. He said residents who are in need can register to receive some help this Christmas on November 2 through Goodfellows' website.
The Chatham Goodfellows will also work alongside some other organizations over the next few months for The Gift, a donation event similar to the May 16th Miracle, on November 21.