Kinsmen’s Gift of Love campaign a 45-year-old tradition in Fort Erie
December 3, 2024 at 3:32 AM
There are less than two weeks left for the community to make donations to the Fort Erie Kinsmen’s Gift of Love campaign.
This is the 45th year for the initiative, which involves the local service club gathering toys for needy families in Greater Fort Erie.
In an interview with Fort Erie Radio on Monday, president Larry Graber estimated that about 400 children will be on the receiving end of this year’s program.
Families registered last month and now it’s up to residents and businesses to fill barrels full of toys at various spots around town.
Locations to drop off donations include town hall, Garrison Automotive, Meridian Credit Union, CIBC on Niagara Parkway, Chuck’s Roadhouse, and The Cutting Edge on Garrison Road.
The Kinsmen previously had access to a list of local residents who receive social assistance, but due to privacy reasons, that route became unavailable about 12 years ago, which is when the collaboration with Fort Erie Salvation Army began.
“We’re praying people are generous,” said Graber, noting that people have until December 13 to drop items off at one of the locations in town where gifts are being collected.
Each child will receive one gift valued at about $25, as well as various stocking stuffers, said Graber.
“If we didn’t do it, those 400 kids would probably get very little,” he said when asked about how important the program is.
He said along with causes in town run by other organizations, it’s vital to “make sure the kids have a happy memory of Christmas.”
Newborns to 16 are the ages the campaign targets, but there are some families who have young ones that are slightly older, and they won’t be left out.
“We’re certainly not going to not look after the 17 year olds,” he said.
The gifts will be handed out to registered families on December 15 at the Leisureplex.
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
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