Kinette Club of Smoky Lake hosts Annual Toy and Food Drive

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Kinette Club of Smoky Lake hosts Annual Toy and Food Drive

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Kinette Club members and helpers assemble for group photo.

(Kinette Club of Smoky Lake/Submitted Photo)

Sirens were blaring and horns were honking Thursday evening as the Kinette Club of Smoky Lake held its annual toy and food drive.

The holiday convoy was led by the Smoky Lake Fire Department and closely followed by Roy and Judy Shupenia’s bus that was decorated with holiday lights by members of the Kinette Club of Smoky Lake.

Santa and Kinette Michelle Wright.

(Kinette Club of Smoky Lake/Submitted Photo)

Kinette Club members walked up and down every street in Smoky Lake collecting the items residents had left out for them. Of course, the star of the evening belonged to Santa Claus. “The kids love seeing Santa! Some come out to meet him, others can be seen waving like crazy through house windows,” said head organizer Elena Jarema.

She went on to say, “Our community has been so good at supporting us and we are always in awe of the amount of food and toys we collect! Our event last night proved no different than any other year, we live in a very generous and giving community!

Santa sets out on his quad.

(Kinette Club of Smoky Lake/Submitted Photo)

The food that was collected is donated to the Smoky Lake Food Bank, and the toys will be sorted, packed, tagged and put together with the Christmas hampers and given out by volunteers.

Jarema said the Kinette Club took over responsibility for the Angel Tree Toy portion of the Smoky Lake Christmas hampers in 2014. “In 2015 we decided to do an Angel Tree Toy and Food Drive to increase donations and bring awareness about the program in our community.”

Bus load of donations.

(Kinette Club of Smoky Lake/Submitted Photo)

As far as demand for the food and toys, Jarema said, “The number of families has increased a little every year since we started. I think we gave out almost 100 gifts last year.” She, along with her fellow Kinettes are very grateful for all of the support they have received.

Jarema said the Christmas hampers are for anyone in the County of Smoky Lake and to phone before Dec. 13 if you are in need of one. As well, donation boxes are set out around town for drop off donations and monetary donations are also accepted.