The popular Monklands toy appeal is back for another festive season – and once again we’re asking for the help of generous Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser readers to help make it a merry Christmas for youngsters across the area.
Donation points have already been set up at Airdrie supermarkets Morrisons and Tesco and at Asda in Coatbridge, ready for welcome gifts to be distributed to local children and young people aged from birth to 18.
Our community appeal is now in its 12th year, and an incredible 14,000 gifts have been donated to date and distributed through volunteer groups to families in need in time for Christmas morning.
Toy appeal co-ordinator Norbert Grant was joined by Naomi Sweeney and Alison Hanley of new business Sense of Wonder and volunteer Brian Morgan, who will all be supporting the appeal, on a visit to Tesco in Airdrie to launch this year’s in-store collection points with community champion Angela Valente and colleague Debbie Forsyth.
Donation points are also already in place at Morrisons and Asda thanks to the valued and continuing support of both big-hearted store teams – and gifts can be handed in at all three locations from now until Friday, December 20.
Gifts ranging from toys, games and books suitable for younger children, to cosmetics, footballs, toiletry sets and gift vouchers for teens can be contributed over the next month and will be sorted by willing local volunteers.
They will be sorted and distributed to families via local schools and community organisations; with individual shoppers and local businesses all already pledging to get on board with their donations.
Chapelhall resident Norbert said: “We’re looking forward once again to this year’s appeal and are grateful as always to all three supermarkets for all their support.
“The collection points are ready and waiting at the three Monklands supermarkets for the next month and we hope to reach as many families as possible to make Christmas special.”
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