By Shelby Stewart
Staff Writer
The Brandon Christmas Community Toy Store is gearing up for Christmas and seeking some help from area elves. The local toy drive kicks off this week with boxes for gifts around area businesses.
“Around 180 children, and around 70 families,” said Linda Mizejewski, president of CCTS. “Parents get to shop, just like a regular store, they pick out what they think their kids would want, we do stocking stuffers, stuffed animals, the wood workers make hand made wooden toys, Mabelena’s donates the pillow cases.”
Families who qualify for help at Ortonville Community Emergency Fund also qualify for CCTS. Distribution will be on Dec. 14, with set up on Dec. 12-13.
Gifts are provided for children through age 12, and gift cards and books for older kids.
“It’s harder to shop for those kids,” said Mizejewski. “Each child from four to 12 gets a new pillow, at least one or two books that are age appropriate, it’s set up to where they get registered and get an escort with a cart to help. We supply also batteries for the toys, wrapping paper, ribbon, cards, anything that they can need.”
Boxes are now available at 28 local businesses, and anyone looking to donate toys or sporting goods can drop them off at any of those boxes, or at St. Anne where the toy store is located. Anyone looking to donate money can send it to PO box 733, Ortonville. Those who want to volunteer can call 248-627-2641. A list of businesses can be found at brandonccts.org.
Anyone who shops on Amazon.com can also shop with the Amazon Smiles program and donate .5 percent of each purchase to CCTS
“A lot of the parents are working, it’s just that everything goes to rent and groceries and stuff and they can’t afford Christmas,” said Mizejewski. “It’s nice that they can have stuff too.”