Donations can be made throughout Uxbridge

Uxbridge Toy Drive kicks off. UXBRIDGE -- Folks involved with the annual Uxbridge Toy Drive gathered at the Uxbridge Canadian Tire November 14 to kick off the 2011 annual drive. On hand were, from left, Bruce Hall, of Zeredatha Masonic Lodge, Ginger Jackson, of McDonald's, Ian Bell, of the Uxbridge Bruins, Pat Higgins, of the Uxbridge Canadian Tire, Jim Williamson, of Williamson Uxbridge, Jennifer Walker, of the 'Uxbridge Times Journal', Tania Foster, of M and M Meats, Jamie Brown, of Carstar, and Andy Luukkonen, of Body Fit. November 14, 2011 Celia Klemenz / Metroland

UXBRIDGE -- With Christmas quickly approaching, the annual Uxbridge Toy Drive has officially begun.

"So many people are struggling to make ends meet," said Pat Higgins, owner of Canadian Tire and toy drive organizer. "If we can provide a better Christmas for families, that is what it is all about."

Donations can be dropped off at various locations throughout Uxbridge.

Mr. Higgins, who has been organizing the event for 12 years, explained that all of the gifts donated to the toy drive stay in Uxbridge for local families, distributed through churches, service groups, women's shelters and the Children's Aid Society.

"There is a need for help," said Mr. Higgins.

Tania Foster, owner of M and M Meats, has participated in the Uxbridge Toy Drive since her store opened in Uxbridge two years ago. The M and M Meats shop, at 304 Toronto St., will be one of the many drop-off stations for donations.

"This gives kids a Christmas that might not have the opportunity to have one," said Ms. Foster.

During the 2010 toy drive, she explained that a women came into the store with a full box of donations. As she unloaded all of the gifts, she explained to Ms. Foster that she did not want any gifts this year; instead she was going to donate to the toy drive. Ms. Foster began to cry and felt overjoyed.

"If I felt like that, imagine how the children feel when they receive the gifts," she said.

Mr. Higgins explained that there is a greater need for teens and newborns. Gift cards and electronics are encouraged.

"It just keeps getting better and better," he said.

Bruce Hall, toy drive co-ordinator, has been participating for three years and has no plans to stop. According to Mr. Hall, all of the toys are collected and then sorted and organized at Masonic Hall, 26 Spruce St., followed by distribution.

"It is just awesome, you have to see it," he said. "It is a great feeling, it is like being Santa."

Donations can be made at Canadian Tire, Zehrs, Walmart, McDonalds, M and M Meats and at the Uxbridge Bruins home hockey games.

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Tickets available until June 7 for splash pad fundraiser

UXBRIDGE -- A local community club is looking to the community for support in its quest to bring a splash pad to Uxbridge.

The Bonner Boys are hoping to raise more than half of a $100,000 commitment to the splash pad project through a car draw and dance to be held June 11.

While much fundraising work remains, club members are optimistic the community will rise to the challenge and help create a park that will become a destination for families in Uxbridge.

Plans for an Uxbridge splash pad include five or six ground and walk-through features as well as four or five dumping features that will spray, shoot and dump water through manually activated sensors.

"The water shuts off if a sensor is not activated, so it won't be wasted," said Bob Ferguson, Uxbridge's parks and recreation manager and Bonner Boys member.

The accessible park will also feature hill slides, fitness style playground equipment and a gazebo, noted Mr. Ferguson, while the 10,000-litre underground water tank for the splash pad will also be used to irrigate the nearby ball diamond and lawn bowling greens.

The idea for a splash pad came from witnessing the success of similar parks in neighbouring Stouffville and Port Perry, said Mr. Ferguson.

"When we went there we realized half the people using it were from Uxbridge, so this is something residents really want," he said.

Mr. Ferguson hopes the architect's design concept for the splash pad can be unveiled on the night of the car draw and dance. The design tender was awarded to MEP Design Inc. of Toronto for $11,300 back in March.

The new park is projected to cost $400,000 and Mr. Ferguson said the plan is to have it up in time for summer 2012.

Funding for the project will include $100,000 from the Bonner Boys, $100,000 from the Township, $50,000 in in-kind donations from community and corporate sponsors and $150,000 from the Trillium Foundation, which is yet to be approved.

"The splash pad will be a point of destination park open to all ages. It will be a great place for families who don't have pools and just a great place for kids to run around and have fun," said Mr. Ferguson.

"But right now we need people's support to make it a reality."

Tickets for the draw are $100 and will only be available until June 7. Each ticket includes a chance to win a 2011 Chevy Cruze, $7,000 in cash and prizes, and admits two people to the dance held later that night featuring a live band, food, dancing and a cash bar.

For more information or to purchase tickets call Mr. Ferguson at 905-852-1374. Tickets are also available at Williamson Uxbridge or at the Uxbridge Arena office.

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Tickets available until June 7 for splash pad fundraiser

A gorgeous day brought out a large number of volunteers, golfers and supporters to Foxbridge Golf & Country Club for the 2011 United Way Fundraising Golf Tournament. The Williamson family takes great pride in supporting the community, and it is their intention to continue to do so for many years to come. By supporting each other, we strengthen our entire community and open doors to new opportunities for all of us.

Over the past 38 years the event has raised funds for many local charities. Everyone had a great time while supporting a great cause! The Annual Williamson Cup in support of the Uxbridge United Way event video and plenty more photos can be seen at www.snapsu.com.

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