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