Loyalist gets involved in Christmas toy drive for kids

By William Proulx

BELLEVILLE – This year Loyalist College will be taking part in the annual Play it Forward Toy Drive to help bring Christmas to less fortunate children.

The drive has been held in Belleville since the late 1950s, but this is the first time Loyalist has taken part.

The toy drive is held by the Belleville Professional Firefighters Association. Ryan Turcotte of the association approached the Loyalist post-grad Public Relations program, co-ordinated by Kerry Ramsay, to see if the students were interested in helping with the media aspect of the toy drive.

The objective of the drive is to raise money and donate toys to children who are in need, said Loyalist post-grad PR student Katie Stewart.

She said she expects the drive will bring in at least 1,500 donations this year from across the Quinte region.

About 200,000 children have been given toys since the drive began, Stewart said.

At Loyalist the drive targets both students and staff. It’s not just toys that people are being asked to donate; new clothing, mittens and money are also being accepted.

Anyone who wants to sign up to donate must register by emailing Ramsay at kramsay@loyalistc.on.ca.

Tomorrow is the last chance to make a donation to Play it Forward Toy Drive. On Friday, Nov. 28, a representative from the Belleville Firefighters Association will come to the campus at 11 a.m. to pick up the toys donated by Loyalist staff and students.