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Toys for Joys is collecting toys for Christmas

The Christmas Hampers collect food to feed the tummy, Toys for Joys collect toys to feed the childlike laughter at Christmas.

Santa will be collecting toys this Christmas at a special Toys for Joys breakfast at the Grand Central Station restaurant in Ashcroft on Nov. 29.

Toys for Joys “is a community effort to get toys into homes where children might otherwise not get gifts for Christmas,” says Jess Turnball.

The Grand Central Station will be hosting a pancake breakfast with Santa on Nov. 29 from 9 am to noon. Bring an unwrapped toy for girls and boys, age 0-14, with a value of $5 and upwards and receive a free pancake breakfast.

Turnball suggests toys that are popular among children - “Whatever you can afford.”

“I’m just so excited that it’s happening in a restaurant again,” she says. “It’s more personal. You get to go out and have breakfast with friends and family.”

Turnball was part of a group of volunteers who started the program in 2009 with the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society. The breakfast was held at Chris Under The Bridge restaurant until 2012. The breakfasts ceased afterthe restaurant closed but toy collection continued.

Toys or cash, says Turnball. The toys are always used - if not in the year they are collected, then in the following year.

Restaurant staff and staff from the E Fry Society will be donating their time to cook and serve breakfast on Nov. 29.

If you miss the breakfast, you can still drop off a donated toy or cash donation at either the restaurant of the E Fry office on Bancroft.

Toys for Joys is intended for families with children in need in the communities of Ashcroft, Ashcroft Indian Band, Cache Creek, Bonaparte Indian Band, Boston Flats, Clinton, Logan Lake, Spences Bridge and Walhachin.

Guardians must fill out an application for a toy in person at the E Fry office at 601 Bancroft St. in Ashcroft beginning now and going until Friday Dec. 11. Gifts are picked up in person on Dec. 18.

In case you’re wondering what’s hot in the toy department this year, more than 500 families participated in the fourth annual Walmart Toy Testers event held in Toronto recently. Their top 20 toy  picks for 2015 are:

Age: 8-23+ months

Fisher-Price Little People Animal Friends Farm

Melissa & Doug Disney Baby Wooden Jumbo Knob Puzzle

Mega Bloks 1-2-3 Learning Train

Age: 2-3+ years

Playland with Balls

VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Ultimate RC Speedway

Thomas & Friends TrackMaste Shipwreck Rails Set by Fisher-Price

PlayDoh Minions Barber Shop

Paw Patrol Basic Vehicle with Pup

Age: 4-5+ years

My Life As 18” Dolls

Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber

Disney Frozen Friends Gift Set

Mega Bloks Minion Movie Station Wagon Getaway

Age: 6+ years

Crayola Minions Sketcher Projector

Age: 8+ years

Crayola Cling Creator

Twister Moves Hip Hop Spots Electronic Dance Game

Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster

LEGO Star Wars Naboo Star Fighter

Air Hogs Shadow Launcher Heli and Car

Age: 10+ years

Star Wars Millennium Falcon Quad

LEGO Aira’s Pegasus Sleigh