Salvation Army toy program helps Calgary children in need celebrate Christmas

The Salvation Army hosts a toy distribution day to ensure families struggling financially have a toy to give to their children Christmas morning.

Several members of the Salvation Army spent Saturday spreading a little Christmas cheer to families who could use some.

At the Berkshire Citadel in northwest Calgary, parents in need were able to go through three rooms filled with donated toys to pick out some for their children as part of the organization’s annual Salvation Army Christmas Toy Program.

Toys were available at two different Salvation Army locations Saturday, including a second location at its Calgary Glendale Temple.

“We’ve had hundreds of toys donated by Calgarians and today we’re distributing them to the less fortunate, to the people who really need them to make their Christmas better,” said envoy Bob McLeod, who sported a ballcap that said ‘Pastor Bob’ on it.

“Yesterday we had approximately 200 and we have about the same amount coming through today,” Macleod said.

Each of the three rooms featured toys that appealed to a different age group, including infants up to 23 months old, another for kids between two and five years old, and a third dedicated to toys that appeal to older children between 10 and 12 years of age.

Mcleod said that while the city has been generously donating toys, they could use more.

“We’re still short of toys,” he said. “Other locations in Calgary are going to be giving them out later in the month so if anyone would like to donate a toy to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Program, just get a hold of the Salvation Army.”

Mcleod said the affordability crisis hits home at this time of year.

“It’s so vital at this time of year, because so many are having so much trouble with finances,” he said. “Every week, we have people coming in asking for food, asking for money.

“We just know that it’s a vital ministry we’re providing here because otherwise some of these children would just go without a Christmas time.”

This year, the organization says it’s supporting around 1,500 families representing approximately 3,500 children.

On Dec. 18, toys will be distributed at the Forest Lawn location.

For more information about becoming a Toy Angel, go here.

With files from CTV’s Tyler Barrow