Large, wrapped boxes sit waiting for people to pass by and drop a toy in, courtesy of Volunteers in Action (VIA), a local Christian Life Group collecting toys during the Christmas season.
‘We work with the youth to have them go out in the community and serve,? said Marlene Mansour, a parent and organizer of the toy drive.
‘We have them out in the community talking to business owners and ask if they will put out a toy collection box in their business establishment.?
Drop-off spots in the Clarkston area include Mesquite Creek, Saturn of Clarkston, Everest Academy, and Oakhurst Golf and Country Club. More drop-offs are located at Palace Chrysler Jeep in Lake Orion and LaFontaine dealerships in Highland and Waterford.
Once all the presents are collected, VIA will wrap them and take them to St. Micheal’s Parish in Pontiac.
‘We are going to have a Christmas party there for the underpriviledged kids and hand out the toys we collected,? said Ben Bates, a freshman at Everest Collegiate.
As of last week, he knew one box was filled but wasn’t sure of the total count ? especially since the VIA still has one more week to collect toys.
‘It is a great thing to do for them and for them to have a Christmas,? Bates added. ‘We have been blessed.?
VIA expects 160-200 kids to come to the Christmas party. Not only will the students wrap presents, but they will also run the party, including running booths with different games and a pinata.
‘They will put on a little skit,? said Mansour. ‘A little nativity at the beginning for the kids and parents.?
Toys are handed out during the party by VIA participants. The group will collect toys until Dec. 16, so they have enough time to wrap them for the Christmas party on Dec. 19.
They are accepting toys suitable for children ages 3-14, and ask for them to be unwrapped. They will also accept hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves.
The youth group includes students from Clarkston High School, Everest Academy, Notre Dame Prep, and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep.
‘We are trying to groom the freshman and sophomores to solicit businesses to allow them to put the toy collection boxes out, hopefully by the time they are in their junior or senior year,? said Mansour. ‘They take more ownership and confidence to go out there and do it on their own.?