Friday Harbour is on the lookout for some last-minute donations for Community for Kids (C4K).
The north-end Innisfil resort will wrap up its C4K toy drive on Dec. 22, and it is encouraging residents and visitors to drop off new, unwrapped toys at the large red donation box on the Piazza this weekend.
While all donations are welcome, C4K is specifically looking for balls, and Rainbow Loom, craft and jewellery kits.
“The community is near and dear to our hearts,” resort chief executive officer Hani Roustom said. "We want to make sure that whatever we do, we do what we can to really support the local community. They're a great partner we've worked with throughout the years. We thought the toy drive would be another collaboration where we could work together to support the larger community, especially during this period of the year. This is at the core of what the holidays are all about."
This is the fourth year Friday Harbour has run the fundraiser as part of its Holiday Market.
“Demand for community support is higher than it’s ever been this year,” Roustom said. "This is why we're trying to do our best to really tell everyone about the toy drive. We're going to continue raising awareness until the last day. Hopefully, we'll really gather toys that will brighten up the day for local families in need."
C4K will collect the donations on Dec. 23, to ensure they reach those who require assistance in time for the holidays.
"They have given us the opportunity to speak to the thousands of people who attend (their) tree lighting," C4K president Myrlene Boken said. "It helps increase our visibility and adds to our credibility as a charity to have the largest resort in the greater Barrie area in our corner. The employees support us all year and the entire resort donates to the Christmas toy drive. We value this partnership and hope as the demand for our services increase we can count on their continued support."
C4K helped 205 families, totalling over 700 individuals — primarily children and teens — in 2023. It is a registered charity incorporated in 2012. Donations made now stay within the community and surplus is kept in inventory to support the organization’s many year-round initiatives.
For more information on C4K, visit community4kids.ca. Monetary donations are accepted through CanadaHelps.
Further details on the resort can be found at fridayharbour.com.
