The holiday season isn't filled with joy for everyone. This year, for many, it will be a trying time.
That's why some downtown merchants decided to band together to help out.
“We needed to do something,” said Oscar’s Variety store owner Heather Fraser. “The need is so great."
Fraser talked to other business people located within Heritage Place in downtown Orillia and "everyone agreed, we needed to do something."
As a result, Holiday Hoopla was born.
Holiday Hoopla is planned for Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All the stores in Downtown Heritage Place at 33 Mississaga St. E. have banded together to welcome independent vendors, and to collect non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army Christmas Hampers.
“Thanks to Josh and Cam at The Cave Collectables, Santa Pikachu will be here from noon to 1 p.m.,” explained Fraser. “Everyone who brings a donation of a non-perishable food item will be able to get a free photo with him.”
Santa Pikachu will be at Cave Collectables Wednesdays through Sundays from Dec. 14 right up until Christmas Eve.
Local Salvation Army officials are thankful for the initiative.
“Last year, we distributed over 533 hampers and over 1,400 gifts and toys were given out to children in our community,” explained Captain Josh Howard from the Orillia Salvation Army.
“The need is definitely there and is even greater than it was last year," Howard told OrilliaMatters.
For Fraser, it's an opportunity to give back.
“We have been so blessed,” said Fraser. “We were able to be open throughout the entire pandemic, but others weren’t so lucky. We are only asking new and upcoming vendors to come and be part of this, and it’s free, to help them get started. Next year, there will be all new vendors, and we will do the same.”
Vendors confirmed this year are Grae Lynn Co., Scentsy, Swader Woodworking, and a florist; more are being added daily. “More are welcome to come, as long as we have room for them,” confirmed Fraser.
Other stores in Downtown Heritage Place include Becker’s Shoes, The Golden Fern, Phoenix Health and Fitness, Bio Tuning Ontario, The Cave Collectables, and Richard Vandermeer Art.
“When Heather came to me, I thought it was a great idea. Definitely fun to help the community. When people see Pikachu they get so much joy in their eyes,” said Josh Nixon, general manager at The Cave Collectables. “Pokemon is always on the Christmas list, so Pikachu Santa is perfect at this time of year.”
The Cave Collectables is hoping to continue to help the community in the new year, thanks to new online auction software on its website, according to owner Cameron MacDonald.
“We’re going to start doing charity auctions,” explained MacDonald, adding “everything raised there can go to local charities. Local artist Richard Vandermeer came to Heather and offered to donate paintings to auction, we could help the Salvation Army, the youth centre, anyone who wanted to partner with us. We’ve been talking to Heather about that too.”
You can help the stores at Downtown Heritage Place assist those in need this holiday season by bringing a non-perishable food item there anytime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 10.
