eXp Realty has taken on running an annual Christmas toy drive in 100 Mile House.
When Royal LePage officially closed in June this year it left the fate of its annual Gift of Giving fundraiser up in the air. For 15 years the real estate office, in partnership with the Red Apple Store, collected toys, clothes and other items to distribute to those in need around Christmas.
Mandy Findlay, Royal LePage’s former office manager who now works for eXp as a realtor, said she didn’t want to see that tradition come to an end.
“I did a lot of organizing at Royal LePage so I had a lot of the contacts already. It’s something I feel very strongly about as a way to help the community,” Findlay said. “(Those contacts) reached out to me and asked ‘are you going to take over?’ and I said absolutely.”
Findlay approached the rest of the realtors at eXp and asked if they’d be willing to take it on. Fellow realtor Jenni Guimond said she and the others all saw a real need to keep the toy drive going. It’s an important cause, especially now with the cost of living so high for so many South Cariboo families.
“We didn’t want to see the community lose that campaign,” Guimond said. “It wasn’t even a hesitation.”
There will be some changes to how the toy drive works this year, however. First and foremost Findlay said people will now be dropping off their donations at the eXp Realty office located at #1 230 Cariboo Highway 97.
The name is also being changed to Giving Back Together. Guimond said they want to invoke the idea the entire community is stronger together and that when we support each other it provides a sense of safety.
Findlay would also like to see donations go to more charitable organizations in 100 Mile House. While they still plan to donate items to Loaves and Fishes and the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre, she encourages any other charitable organizations in town, that support families in need, to reach out to her at 250-706-9926.
“I’ve been in contact with Kathy Lamb at Red Apple and she wants bigger and better every year. She said they want to go all out this year and I said we’re on board,” Findlay said.
As in previous years, the drive will accept toys, warm winter clothes, food, toiletries and cash donations. This year Guimond said they’ve heard there is a real need for baby products like diapers, wipes and formula, so she’s hoping to get donations of items in that vein as well.
“Anything you could need for a household. There’s so many people who need a variety of things,” Guimond said.
eXp will be accepting donations starting Thursday, Nov. 16 until mid-December, to give them time to distribute the donations before Christmas. Findlay encourages anyone who is able to donate to do so.
“There are so many people who can use a little bit of extra help and if you can help out in a big or small way, everything is appreciated,” Findlay said. “Not to sound selfish, but it will make you feel good too.”
