U15D Muskoka Highlands Collects over $3500 in toys in support of Salvation Army's Toy Drive
We are SO proud of our Bears - Approx. $3500 of toys were collected and purchased that will be donated to Gravenhurst and Bracebridge Salvation Army toy drive initiatives.
On Sat. Dec. 16th, the South Muskoka Bears U15 D team, sponsored by Muskoka Highlands, spent their morning raising awareness of, and taking donations for, the annual Salvation Army's Holiday Toy Drive. The Canadian Tire store in Bracebridge graciously allowed the team to set up outside from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the boys reached out to local shoppers going into the Canadian Tire requesting that they either donate money or donate a new unwrapped toy or gift.
It was amazing to see the overwhelming response from the community! Many, many shoppers, both young and old, part of our SMMHA family and new friends, without hesitation donated funds or came out of the store after having purchased a gift to donate. The team's slogan was "fill the net" as they had set up a hockey net outside of the store and fill the net the community did! Bailey the Bear was there to greet shoppers in Canadian Tire and gave out candy canes to young and old alike. It was really heartwarming to see the generosity from so many people which made the day such a success. The team is so thankful to Muskoka Highlands golf course for not only being our team sponsor but for also starting off the pre-event donations with a $250 cash donation. Before Saturday, the team raised over $1,200 in cash from local businesses and generous private donors and just over $700 was collected on-site, which the team then spent in Canadian Tire buying gifts; about 7 shopping carts in total. A special shout out to the Manager of Canadian Tire in Bracebridge who generously donated the last two carts of toys in the amount of approximately $500. That was very unexpected but so appreciated! This donation allowed the team to have funds to purchase toiletries, mitts and hats. And that is on top of the hockey net full of gifts that were generously donated by the public. After needing three trucks to pack up the toys, the donations will be divided amongst the Bracebridge and Gravenhurst Salvation Army locations and delivered on Monday Dec. 18th by Bears players. Thanks again to Muskoka Highlands, Bracebridge Canadian Tire, the Salvation Army and all of our team players and parents for working together to make this Christmas brighter for so many children and teens in our community.