Ajax: Mayor & Council Toy & Food Drive opens, donations accepted to Dec. 4

The Town of Ajax's annual Mayor & Council Toy & Food Drive opened Nov. 13, with donations accepted until Dec. 4 to support local Ajax charities and families in need this holiday season, the Town says.

Residents, businesses and community groups can drop off donations at five Town facilities: Ajax Town Hall, Ajax Public Library's Main Branch, Ajax Community Centre, McLean Community Centre and Audley Recreation Centre.

The drive runs in themed weeks: week one, "Fill the shelves," asks for non-perishable food items; week two, "Share the warmth," asks for everyday essentials; and week three, "Make the season bright," asks for new, unwrapped toys for local children and families.

Guests attending the inaugural council meeting on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or a new, unwrapped toy, and a donation bin will be set up near the Heritage Square doors at Town Hall during the Santa's Spectacle of Lights parade on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.

Council's Wrap it Forward pop-up events run Dec. 1 to 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McLean, Audley and Ajax community centres, where ward councillors and professional wrappers will wrap a gift in exchange for a toy or non-perishable food donation.

Until Dec. 4, parking penalties can also be paid through Toys for Tickets by donating a new children's toy worth at least 90 per cent of the amount owing, and Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1 is part of the drive.

Donations will benefit The Salvation Army Hope Ajax, Herizon House, Durham Youth Services' Joanne's House, Community Development Council Durham and The Great Pajama Project, on behalf of the Durham Children's Aid Foundation's Holiday Hope program.

"I'm proud that the tradition of bringing our community together continues through the Mayor & Council Toy & Food Drive," Mayor Shaun Collier said. "With affordability pressures continuing to impact everyone, supporting those in need is more important than ever."