A Wallaceburg girl is gathering toys this holiday season for the 4th consecutive year.
Rori Bennett, 12, started gathering toys for the Ronald McDonald House Christmas room program on her birthday, October 19, and will be accepting items until December 1 this year.
“I hope I do this forever,” she told the Sydenham Current.
“I fully intend to do it throughout my adult years. I keep doing this because I feel that even though I’m not using it as much anymore, they deserve as much as anybody can give them. They have helped us so much my whole life. The first time I was there is when I was four-months-old. I feel like they deserve any donations that I can give them because I think they are an amazing charity, and I want to help them like they helped me.”
Rori said she is looking for toys for boys and girls, from ages zero to 18. The items also have to be brand new and not wrapped in wrapping paper, due to the allergy restrictions at the Ronald McDonald House.
Rori and her family bring the items annually to the Christmas Room at their London facility.
“It’s a room that provides Christmas gifts, or what I like to call them ‘smiles’, for kids at Christmas who either have a sibling or related family member in the hospital, or are the child that is in the hospital,” she said.
“Parents can go in and they get to pick one Christmas gift for the child that is in and for the siblings. They can have a gift to open on Christmas even if the parent doesn’t have time, or energy, or money to go out and get one.”
Rori said she hopes to gather a wide range of items for boys and girls.
She said toys like ear buds or card games are good ideas for teenagers.
The following locations are accepting donations on behalf of Rori:
– Pure Academy By Debbie McGonigle in Wallaceburg
– Pure Academy in Chatham Chatham
– Pure Academy in Windsor
– Lifetouch in Chatham
– Homeward Realty in Wallaceburg
– Haute Pink Dancewear Boutique in Chatham
– Holy Family / Our Lady of Help Catholic Church Parish Office in Wallaceburg
– St. James Anglican Church in Wallaceburg
Rori said any gift cards that are donated are used to purchase toys to fill the gaps of the different age groups.
Lifetouch in Chatham and Devolder Farms are using her toy drive as their own Christmas fundraisers, Rori added.
Follow along with Rori’s initiative by joining her group on Facebook.
– Photo credit: Aaron Hall
