The Bargain Shop was full of cheer last week as members of the Flin Flon Elks and the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre gathered to collect toys that have been donated to the centre’s gift program.
More than $3,000 worth of toys collected at the store will be distributed to brighten the season for children who might not otherwise receive gifts at Christmas.
Toys were purchased by holiday shoppers and donated to the program. Bargain Shop manager Iris Lycan says she and her staff placed toys at the counter and in a bin near the front of the store to encourage donations.
“Flin Flon’s a very generous community,” Lycan says. “Some people come in here and donate three and four times.”
Lycan says the program far exceeded the goal set by The Bargain Shop’s parent company, as well as the more aggressive goal she set for her own store.
As of last Thursday, $3,320 worth of toys were ready for distribution, and the program continues into this week.
Lycan’s reason for championing the program is simple.
“Some kids don’t have a very good Christmas,” she said. “The stories the customers tell us are humbling.”
Hearing stories of families whose wage earners work two minimum wage jobs was an eye-opener for some of her staff, she said.
“I have three young staff, and it hit home with them,” says Lycan.
“Not everyone works for the company.”
Jeremiah Herrmann, Friendship Centre program and events coordinator, says he expects to have upwards of 300 children registered to receive gifts this year. Although the program had a deadline of Friday, Dec. 12, Herrmann says
the centre will continue to accept registrations until this Friday,
Dec. 19.
Once registered, families can make an appointment to go to the centre and choose gifts for the children. Gift wrap is provided. Distribution day is today, Dec. 15 but accommodations will be made for later registrants.
The annual event is in its 21st year.
The Friendship Centre and the Elks coordinate their effort to deliver gifts and hampers to registered families.
The Elks have had a hamper program “since 1930 or so,” says Elks Community Cheer co-chair Linda Martindale.
“We’ve had lots of support from businesspeople and people in the area,” she says, adding that donations at a recent Flin Flon Bombers game and from Hemlock Drive residents helped fill the cupboards. The North Star Quilt Guild also donated blankets to the program.
The Elks are also extending registrations past their original deadline of Dec. 12.
They will accept registrations right up to hamper packing night, which is this Friday, Dec. 19.
Anyone wanting to donate toys to the Friendship Centre program can contact Herrmann at
204-687-8858 or the centre’s main line at 204-687-3900.
Hamper donations can be made by contacting Martindale at
204-687-3741 or Elks Exalted Ruler and Christmas Cheer co-chair Gordon Evans at 204-687-5276.
