Two hundred Cochrane-area children will have a merrier Christmas — and there were smiles all around — thanks to the eighth annual Kids Toy Project of the Cochrane Kiwanis.
The youth and their families were paired with members of the Cochrane Generals to pick out their favourite toys using a $50 gift certificate at Walmart on Dec. 14. The store was filled with laughter, holiday cheer, and the excited chatter of children exploring the aisles.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to greet the youth and pose for keepsake photos, while a playful Grinch added a touch of mischief, making the day feel extra festive. Volunteers from the Royal Canadian Legion and community members pitched in, helping the day run smoothly. Town councillor Paul Singh attended on behalf of Mayor Morgan Nagel.
Ron Gosselin of the Kiwanis says it’s the largest of the service club’s annual signature projects, each aimed at fulfilling the international service organization’s mandate to serve the children of the world.
“Our vision is to put smiles on kids’ faces — and seeing the joy in the families and volunteers makes it clear the spirit of the season is alive and well,” said Gosselin.
With a $10,000 budget for gifts, the Kiwanis fundraised in a variety of ways, including a recent trivia night that raised $4,500 toward the cause. Other cash and in-kind donations helped cover the rest.
The Cochrane Generals played a major role once again. The team attended in full, aside from a couple of injured players, despite arriving home at 2 a.m. that morning from a road game in Coaldale. The junior hockey players guided the children through the toy aisles before bringing them to the front, where toques, mitts, socks, treats, dental products, and stuffies were waiting.
They are broken into two groups of 100 youth; each allotted one hour to select their gifts.
“This is an event we look forward to every year — giving back and sharing in the joy and excitement of the season with the kids and families in our community,” said head coach Derek Bell.
The Kids Toy Project began with 54 youth from families facing financial challenges and has steadily grown, reaching 200 children this year — a number that has remained since the project’s fifth year — spreading Christmas cheer far and wide.
