Time is running out to make a difference for kids in need through Santas Anonymous this year.
The goal of 980 CJME’s Santas Anonymous, now in its 48th year, is to ensure every child has a present to unwrap Christmas morning.
Tuesday is the last day bins will be in stores to collect new unwrapped toys before the annual Wrap Day at the Regina Food Bank this weekend.
“We have over 1,100 kids already looking for toys from Santas Anonymous, and still have four days to register,” explained Val Wicks with the Salvation Army.
Wicks said the need is very great this year, adding in just one day she signed up 95 families.
“Most of them have done OK throughout the year and now here they are, it’s Christmas, you’ve got an extra added expense,” she said. “They want to make sure that somebody’s going to help them out so that their kids will have stuff for Christmas.”
Each year, one of the more challenging age groups to find donations for is children nine to 12.
Wicks suggests gifts such as earbud headphones or gift cards to gaming store along with hats, mitts, scarves and candy.
People who pick up a toy, but miss the deadline for the bins, can bring it to Wrap Day on Saturday starting 9 a.m. at the Food Bank.