Annual Toy Drive shifts focus

All I want for Christmas is the necessities?

The annual Stuff the Stocking Toy Drive hosted at Ghost Station will be shifting its focus from asking for donations of children’s toys to asking the public to help with wish lists from young adults and elders for the Morley Helping Hampers program.

“We changed this year because they already get an abundance of toys and don’t have a shortage of gifts for children – they rarely get gifts for teens, young adults and elders,” said Caroline Hookey, one of the Stuff the Stocking organizers.

This year organizers have set up a wish list for teens, young adults and elders including:

Makeup and hair accessories

DVDs and ear buds

Shampoo and conditioner

Shaving kits

Any other personal hygiene items

Gloves, toques and other winter wear accessories

Dishes, pots, pans and other kitchen appliances

“For the young adults, we are asking for anything to basically get them started and warm clothing for the elders,” Hookey explained.

The Stock the Stuffing will also be collecting donations for the food bank asking for “essential items.”

This is the fourth year the gas station owners are hosting the drive. Last year, the event ran from Dec. 1 to 21 collecting a truck full of toys and food, $170 in cash, $200 in gift cards and a number of clothing donations that were donated to the Morley’s women’s shelter.

The annual Stuff the Stocking is hosted at the Ghost station, located off Highway 1A, 13 km west of Cochrane.

For more information call 402-932-5209.