A holiday tradition for over 50 years has returned to rural Lambton County.
The Christmas For Everyone caring community project provides toys and food hampers to hundreds of families in need.
It was established in 1971 by Betty Menzies and a few of her volunteers.
Coordinator Sandra Hartman said they service 22 towns with help from firefighters at 14 departments and numerous volunteers.
Last year, they were able to help over 430 families in need.
"We're worried that there's going to be more people in need, just with everybody struggling," said Hartman. "Donations are still running low and slow, but we're just hoping that it's all going to work out and that we're able to help as many families as we can out here in the rural county."
Hartman said all kinds of donations are being accepted.
"We're always looking for, obviously, toys for kids from newborn all the way to age 16," she said. "The older ones are usually the hardest to buy for. We've implemented gift cards, and those are always a good gift to donate for them. There's also food because we do probably close to 1,000 boxes of food for the program."
Hartman said Christmas For Everyone is a not-for-profit organization that is not funded by the government, and they rely solely on the generosity of donors.
Food donations can be dropped off at New Life Assembly Church until December 12.
They're hoping to have all of the toys collected by December 1.
Those can be brought to their office at 4156 Petrolia Line and taken to the rear of the building.
E-transfers are being accepted at christmasforeveryonepetrolia@gmail.com.
You can also give them a call at 226-349-8660 for additional information.
The hampers are set to be distributed on Saturday, December 16.
