Corus Radio London held a record-breaking morning at the Delta Armouries in downtown London.
Hundreds of toy donations are flowed through the hotel’s doors during the sixth annual Drive-Thru Toy Drive Friday morning.
Unwrapped toys, books, and cash donations were all brought in by generous Londoners looking to take part in early gift giving.
The fundraiser is in support of the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Program, which began distributing food and kids toys to people in need on Thursday.
Speaking on the Craig Needles Show, Salvation Army spokesperson Shannon Wise announced that the Toy Drive reeled in a grand total of $29,000.
“It’s a record-setting year for this toy drive,” said Wise.
It’s been running for a total of nine years, originally put on by The Taz Show on FM96 and growing to encompass Corus Radio London’s Country 104, 103.1 Fresh Radio, and Global News Radio 980 CFPL.
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“Every year they blow us away… kids are coming in here saying that they’ve saved their allowances so they could buy another child a toy. It’s such a cool thing to be a part of,” said Taz, adding that Friday’s donations exceeded expectations.
“If you add in gift cards, toys and certificates, we’re well over $100,000.”
A particularly heartwarming moment, he said, was a visit by a woman named Laurie and her husband Les.
“They told us 30 years ago they had to utilize the Salvation Army Hamper program. And then they walked in here this morning and gave us a check for 2-thousand dollars, because they know what it’s like and they wanted to spread the message that just because you’re going through a rough spot now doesn’t mean that years down the road things aren’t going to turn around for you.”
The Salvation Army expects the program to serve 5,200 families and 6,500 kids across London.
Last year, the drive-thru toy drive collected hundreds of toys and raised $19,000 for the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Program.
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