The spirit of giving is once again taking centre stage in Port Hope as Queenies Bake Shop launches its 15th annual Queenies Toy Drive, with owner Adam Pearson hoping to make this milestone year the biggest one yet.
Located at 16 Walton Street, Queenies Bake Shop has become a familiar collection point for donations, helping ensure children throughout the community have something special to open on Christmas morning.
What started 15 years ago after Pearson recognized a need in the community has grown into what he believes is now the largest toy drive in Port Hope.
“ I started it 15 years ago because I saw a need in this community and there was kids that I felt were being left out and unfortunately during Christmas,” Pearson told Today’s Northumberland.
“Christmas is one of those times of the year where you’re waking up and you have that smile on your face and it doesn’t matter if you have money or if you don’t have money. For kids, it’s just about getting a little something to play with on Christmas and I wouldn’t want to see anyone left out.”
Over the years, the response from residents and local businesses has continued to grow.
Last year, more than 2,000 toys were collected. For the 15th anniversary, Pearson has set his sights considerably higher, hoping to collect between 3,000 and 4,000 toys.
“The community never ceases to amaze,” he said.
“I’m a very competitive individual, as most people know, and I want it to be bigger and better every single year. Of course, this year is going to be bigger and better. Fifteenth annual. This is a milestone.”
This year’s drive is also seeing increased involvement from other organizations and businesses across the community.
Pearson has partnered with the Santos Auto Group, which is organizing toy drives at each of its locations before bringing the donations to Queenies.
The Port Hope Panthers are also getting involved, with a special toy drive scheduled for November 28 at a home game. Fans are encouraged to bring toys to the game, where they will be collected and delivered to Queenies.
When it comes to donations, Pearson said there is no particular type of toy people need to purchase.
“Everything. Whatever is in your heart, whatever you would like to bring, that’s what you do,” he said.
Pearson also plans to personally match donations by purchasing additional toys to ensure there are no gaps in what is collected.
“If I see that there’s a need there, I’ll fill in the gaps,” he said.
The toy drive accepts donations for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.
Pearson said the collection will continue into mid-December, with December 16 expected to be the final date to ensure there is sufficient time to distribute the toys to children before Christmas.
While Pearson cannot put an exact number on how many toys have been collected over the past 15 years, the growth of the initiative is evident.
He recalled how the first year’s donations could easily fit into his small hatchback car before taking them to the Giving Tree.
By the second year, the vehicle was packed, and by the third and fourth years, the number of donations had grown to the point where a full moving truck was needed.
Asked to estimate the total number of toys collected over the 15 years, Pearson suggested it could be somewhere between 20,000 and 25,000.
But for Pearson, the numbers only tell part of the story.
Asked what it means to see children receiving toys on Christmas morning, he said the experience is what keeps him going.
“It’s the greatest experience ever,” Pearson said.
“If you ever had an opportunity to see a kid just smile and laugh and happy on especially a Christmas morning – this is why we do it every year too.”
“From here on out, I have to do this.”
Residents wishing to contribute to the 15th annual Queenies Toy Drive can drop off new toys at Queenies Bake Shop, located at 16 Walton Street in Port Hope.
With a goal of reaching as many as 4,000 toys this year, Pearson is once again counting on a community that, after 15 years, continues to show that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Port Hope.
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
