Since November 13 the Vermilion Bargain Shop has been collecting toys and donations to be donated to the Vermilion Lions Club Santas Anonymous program and on December 3 they held their Fill the Sleigh Toy Drive event.
“This fundraiser is an annual event for the Bargain Shop and it is something as a business we are very proud of. Everyone sometimes needs that little helping hand,” commented Bargain Shop Manager Cori deWolde.
deWolde also went on to say that on Saturday Mrs. Claus was on site and that she had the help of elves from the Lions Club to help out which she really appreciated.
“We had some volunteers from the Lions Club come down to help out and they also collected $130 to go towards the program, and they seemed to enjoy chatting with patrons and telling them about the program,” said deWolde.
The goal for this year was to collect $4500 in toys and donations and deWolde said they have come very close to reaching that goal.
“We are just $200 short of our goal, but we still have a couple of days to hopefully reach it, it has been a very successful campaign and I am so appreciative to all the management and staff of the store who have worked very hard to help promote it and collect items for it. I would also like to thank all the community members who have supported us during the past three weeks or so. It has been wonderful to see all the generosity that Vermilion has, thank you,” said deWolde.
During the Fill The Sleigh event the Bargain Shop had a Christmas gift basket draw worth $75 and it was won by Morgan Richards.
The toys, items and donations will be delivered in the next couple of days to the Lions Club.