Christmas Amalgamated receives special delivery from Toy House campaign

Dec 22, 2016 | 2:34 PM

KAMLOOPS — For more than 30 years CFJC’s sister radio stations have lent their support to Christmas Amalgamated, setting up toy houses to collect toys for families in need.

Today, Dec. 22, the six toy houses located around the city were emptied, with their contents headed for children all across Kamloops. 

Brand new toys for boys and girls of various ages came flying out of the miniature homes this morning as B100 and CIFM personalities and Rona employees gathered the items. 

“It’s a great feeling,” said Stan Bailly of 98.3 CIFM. “I think for a lot of us staff it’s like Christmas is actually happening when you come down to the malls and the stores and you see all the toys there, and it just brings something out of us I think. 

“A lot of kids are going to be a lot happier at Christmas time too when they get something under the tree, that’s what it’s all about.”

After the toys are bagged up and loaded for transport they are taken to Christmas Amalgamated, where many of the items will be put aside for next Christmas. 

“The mothers come in and choose their gifts in November,” explained Christmas Amalgamated coordinator Sally Whitson. “I don’t see probably the first donation until after December, so that means that I’ve already seen several hundred parents who choose the toys that they want to give their kids for Christmas.” 

Despite a bit of a difficult year, Christmas Amalgamated can rest easy knowing they will have a supply of gifts available or struggling families next year. 

“Thank you very much to all of our supporters this year,” Whitson said. “It’s been a tough year for everybody, and they’ve all pulled through and thank you very much. Merry Christmas.” 

In addition to a delivery of toys, Christmas Amalgamated also received more than $10,000 from Kamloops Ford Lincoln today. The money will buy food and gifts for the city’s less fortunate.