Santa’s Workshop, at 464 Puntledge Road (formerly the Red Cross building), is a hive of activity, as “elves” are busy creating toys for Comox Valley children.
Santa’s Workshop helps parents of the Comox Valley with children aged up to 15.
Santa’s “elves” receive, repair and restore donated ‘gently used’ toys and then redistribute them to families in need, ensuring as many children as possible in the Comox Valley have something to unwrap on Christmas Day.
Santa’s Workshop has become synonymous with the Christmas season in the Comox Valley. It’s been around for as far back as many people can remember. While the exact date of its inception is unclear, according to “The Story of Santa’s Workshop,” posted on the official website (santasworkshopcomoxvalley.com), the charity is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018.
Or, at least, “60-ish.”
The history lesson talks about Bruce and Lloyd White, who owned White Bros. Machining and Manufacturing Company on Dyke Road.
“About 1958 they took a load of scrap metal to the dump and happened to notice some bicycles there that looked repairable. So thinking it was a shame to see them go to waste they asked if they could have them to repair for needy kids at Christmas. And this was the beginning of Comox Valley’s ‘Santa’s Workshop.’ ”
The elves have changed, but the mission remains the same.
The Workshop is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for drop-offs.
There are also drop boxes at locations throughout Courtenay and Comox.
In Comox, drop boxes are located at Comox Mall, Comox Credit Union, Mosiac Vision Centre, Slegg Construction, Scotia Bank, TD Bank and Terry Blasco-Dentist.
Courtenay locations are: Habitat for Humanity, Rosewood Fitness, Courtenay Museum, Driftwood Mall, Fabricland, Island Honda, Scotia Bank, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart.
“Please go through your basements, closets and play spaces and bring any gently used toys down to the workshop,” said volunteer Barb Metheral. “The elves have to make sure all gifts are ready be received by no later than Dec. 14, so the earlier used items are received, the better.”
Metheral said bicycles for younger children are in high demand, and anything for the older, teenaged children is always appreciated.
“We have trouble finding the right things for them, because they don’t play with toys as much,” Metheral said, of the teenagers. “But electronics, things like sleeping bags, books, those are good.”
Cash and gift card donations are also accepted.
The workshop is now accepting calls for appointments to shop for your children. The phone number is 250-897-0098. The actual “shopping days” begin Dec. 3, and run until Dec. 21.
“Grandparents Day” shopping this season will be held Dec. 18-19.
Appointments are required.
