Submitted by:
Beverley Polon |

Swan Valley Communities That Care (SVCTC) wishes to thank members of the Swan Valley Community for their generous donations to the Swan Valley CTC Toys 4U Toy Drive.

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There were donation boxes located at nine local businesses in order to collect community donations of toys and money. As well, the Swan Valley Stampeder’s Booster Club and hockey team dedicated their Dec. 6th, 9th & 12th hockey games to the collection of toys for this initiative. Businesses and organizations also made donations towards the purchase and wrapping of the toys.

Thanks to the generosity of the SV Foundation grant as well as contributions from the general community, SVCTC was able to distribute approximately 348 toys and gift certificates to children and youth.

Recipients of these toys were determined by consulting with the Swan River Ministerial Association, Child & Family Service, Crisis Centre, community members and the local Swan Valley Hospital to determine need for the toys. SVCTC were in communication with the Swan Valley Interagency, the Food Bank, the Swan River Friendship Center and Wuskwi Sipihk Cree Nation (Indian Birch) regarding the SVCTC Toys 4 U project. Agencies were made aware of this project in order that the disbursement of the toys was inclusive of all valley residents.

The children and youth that were identified to receive toys from the SVCTC Toys 4 U drive did not already have access to existing Christmas programs in the Swan Valley.

The SVCTC Board members were privileged to receive volunteer assistance from community members, Minitonas 4-H Club and youth at the École Swan River South School (ESRSS) to assist in the organizing and wrapping of the toys.


The toys are being distributed to those that need them in our Swan Valley. Children & youth in our Swan Valley area are going to experience an extra special Christmas this year as a result.

Thank you for making 2015 an Extra Special Christmas season. This is truly the meaning of Christmas.