It’s the time of year when many businesses are collecting food and toys to help less fortunate families around the holidays. For Laura Dickson, it’s personal.
The Harvey’s Orillia franchisee is collecting items at her Memorial Avenue business for CTV’s Toy Mountain and food for the Feeding Families campaign organized by 104.1 The Dock and Pure Country 106.
“It wasn’t so long ago that I was living paycheque to paycheque and I actually had to get the toy hampers. Without it, my kids wouldn’t have had Christmas presents,” she said. “I was a single mom. Funds were low. So, I get it.”
When she heard about the toy and food drives, she thought, “What better way to give back?”
She got her staff in on the effort, too, having them compete to create the best-decorated box to hold the donated items.
Dickson has offered some incentives for people to donate. Those who drop off any toy or food item receive a free dessert, with no purchase necessary. A donation of a toy worth $10 or more gets people into a draw for a $250 Visa gift card.
“I’m hoping people want to give,” Dickson said. “I know the people who receive it appreciate it. I always did.”
The toys will be provided to Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, while any food donations collected locally will stay in the area.
The draw for the gift card will be held Dec. 18, and both the food and toy campaigns wrap up Dec. 19.
Dickson said she plans to collect food and toys every year.
