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NIPIGON -  The Nipigon Toy Drive, with a month left until Christmas, is approaching its goal of $3600 in giving with one week remaining until the target date of December 1st. More than $2,500 in cash and new toys have been donated to the new initiative.

Jo Ann Walker Doherty started the drive this year inspired by her past experiences, "As a teenager, I worked with Dr. J. Harvey and many other local teens, in the basement of the Nipigon Clinic to refurbish toys that we'd collected for Santa. He taught myself and many others the JOY OF GIVING! The aim of the Toy Drive is to embrace the spirit of Christmas giving and provide gifts for the children of 75 local families challenged by the current shift in the economy and job losses".

On November 19th, Rusty Notes and Company, a musical act, volunteered their time to play some old time country music and a few Christmas tunes for the Hospital’s Long Term Care residents in support of the Nipigon Toy Drive. LTC residents, visitors and hospital staff donated funds and purchased toys for the drive.

The Toy Drive is shopping the Christmas sales at Nipigon retailers, keeping the majority of spending local. Businesses have in turn been very generous, offering discounts and helping the drive take advantage of holiday sales.

Significant donations have gone a long way towards  helping the toy drive meet its goal, including $800 in stuffed toys from Sears Canada and an anonymous donation of $500 from a Nipigon businessperson.

Photo Credit Donna Smeltzer. Left to Right: Helmi Lillies, Arne Happalinen, Sarah Lewis, Jo Ann Walker Doherty, and Toini Ruoho.

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