Dukes fans bear gifts of comfort for children

Six Loyalist College’s Child and Youth Worker Program students – Carrie Dyer, Mackenzie Haisma, Ashley Ireland, Jessica Vieira and Joel Chambers – pose with their Teddy Bear Toss donations presented to Major Dean Locke, of the Salvation Army, Fire Chief Scott Manlow, CAS Chief Angel Susan Rose and Fire Prevention officer Mike Branscombe.

Bags and bags of new stuffed animals collected during a Teddy Bear Toss at a Wellington Dukes game will soon be in the loving arms of children.
The Teddy Bear Toss was organized by six third-year students in Loyalist College’s Child and Youth Worker Program, the Wellington Dukes and the Prince Edward County Fire Department. Fans enjoying the Wellington – Trenton game were invited to bring or purchase new stuffed animals to toss onto the ice during intermission to  be presented to the Fire Department, the Children’s Aid Society’s Christmas Angel Campaign and the Salvation Army’s Christmas Campaign.
“The fire department keeps a few bears on the trucks to bring comfort to children, and some older people, too,” says Fire Chief Scott Manlow. “Fortunately, we don’t give out a lot of them but they are really nice to have so we appreciate the Loyalist students’ efforts.”
The donations will also benefit local children, served by the Children’s Aid Society’s Christmas Angel Campaign and the Salvation Army’s Christmas Campaign.
Major Dean Locke, of the Salvation Army Picton Community Church, says the bears will be distributed along with about 75 to 100 Christmas hampers being created this year.
The Salvation Army’s biggest need this year is for volunteers to assist with the annual Kettle Campaign.
“We have plenty of locations that have allowed us to campaign but we never have enough volunteers to work two-hour shifts during the day. There’s about 500 shifts that need to be filled. All the funds raised in the campaign are raised as community money, not church money. Call 476 – 3159 if you wish to help out.
Susan Rose, Chief Angel with the CAS campaign, is concerned the need in the community is greater than ever this year.
“The Angel Campaign office has only been open for two weeks and we already have 239 children registered from 110 families. The highest need to date was serving 300 children a few years ago, so if the early high registration is any indication, there is much work to be done this year.”
The Angel Campaign, Salvation Army and the Picton and Wellington food banks maintain master lists to help ensure all who need assistance are served without duplication.”
As well as contributors purchasing clothing and toys for children, the CAS Campaign is in need of food donations that are geared toward children  such as canned spaghetti products, Kraft dinner, hot cereal, peanut butter and hot chocolate.
The CAS Angel Campaign office is located at the Sobey’s Plaza, between The Source and Flowers By Marvin this year, and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 613 243 0562 for information.