Kelowna Santas makes a call for Central Okanagan Children

Every kid deserves a present on Christmas, and a huge community effort underway right now is trying to make sure that happens in the Central Okanagan.

Kelowna Santas is a community initiative that strives to provide Christmas presents to children in need, aged 17 and younger, in the Central Okanagan.

KelownaNow, along with our media partners, Kelowna Capital News, 99.9 Sunfm, 101.5 EZ Rock, and AM 1150 have been doing all we can to get the word out to the community. The Central Okanagan Food Bank and Mamas for Mamas are also getting into the holiday spirit and helping out with the drive.

Close to 100 businesses have accepted the challenge this year, becoming drop locations for new, unwrapped toys and gifts.

Check out the video below to hear from some of the business going above and beyond their role as drop locations. They talk about why the cause is so near and dear to them, how they are encouraging their customers to bring in gifts and also tell us their best gift ideas.

We’re heading into our final week for toy collection, and we’re asking any generous souls out there to bring a new, unwrapped toy to any of the drop locations. You can even bring one down to the KelownaNow office, located in the heart of downtown at 1685 Pandosy Street.

If you want to be a real hero you can register to volunteer your time, at the Kelowna Santas website. Volunteers can help select, wrap and even deliver gifts.

Orchard Ford will be hosting the Let's (Wrap) Party on Monday, December 19th. At the party volunteers will be able to practice their gift wrapping skills while helping families in need. You can also take toys directly to Orchard Ford as they are one of the many drop locations.

Diamond Delivery will be picking up all the toys and gifts at the drop locations.

So once again, we ask that you think about those less fortunate than you and bring an unwrapped toy to one of the many drop locations, and if you have time and want to be involved, go to the KelownaSantas.com and register to volunteer.

Click here for a list of gift drop locations.