Through the generosity of the community, Tammies Jammies and the 11th annual Queenies Bake Shop Toy Drive received a record number of donations in Port Hope.
A total of 1,400 pairs of pyjamas and thousands of toys were picked up by the Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society on Monday, December 19, 2022.
Transit Coordinator for the Municipality of Port Hope Jerry Siebarth and Port Hope Police Constable Tammie Staples have been collecting pyjamas over several years.
Previous years it was 1,350, 400, and 285 the year before.
“That’s all thanks to the people in the Port Hope, Cobourg area who have been helping us,” said Siebarth.
Staples said she was “overwhelmed” looking at the full-size van completely loaded with pyjamas.
“I can’t believe the generosity throughout the community and we’re not just talking Port Hope and Cobourg, we’re talking surrounding communities.”
Staples said donations came as far as Toronto, Hamilton and Peterborough.
“A lot of kids are going to have a lot of smiles on their faces.”
Zoey Jouwstra who is Special Events Coordinator for the Highland Shores Children’s Aid Foundation said that it was a “very generous donation.”
A brand new pair of pyjama’s may not seem like much to some people, “but these pyjama’s are very special. Something we might take for granted, but to them it means the world.”
After picking up the pyjamas it was off to Queenies Bake Shop on Walton Street to pick up a record haul of toys.
For every toy brought into the store, owner Adam Pearson matches it.
“This years toy drive was amazing. There are thousands of toys.”
“I don’t even have seating in the store anymore.”
Most of the toys went towards the Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society But Pearson also has different organizations he donates too along with handing out toys who pass by the store on Christmas Eve.
“The community never disappoints. Actually it impresses me more and more every year.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
