WOW – RECORD BREAKING 1,016 TOYS DONATED FOR OPTIMIST DEC,21 HAMPER/TOY DELIVERIES.

Oshawa, Dec 15 … Yes Santa Claus does live. With less than a week remaining before the 25th annual Optimist Club of Oshawa sponsored Food Hamper/Toy deliveries this Sunday, Dec. 21st as things are“kicking into high gear”,
The 2008 campaign received a overflow amount of toys collected from two sources earlier this morning. First, Christine Gonzalez and her nursing staff from Lakeridge Health (OGH) 4th floor donated 212 toys.
It was the largest total accumulated at OGH since their program commence seven years ago. Gonzalez, and her working associates (nurses, doctors and patients) reached deep this year.
Less than hour later at 11:30 am seven volunteers where required to load 804 additional toys from the Martin Chiropractic Clinic.  The clinic’s spokesperson owner Greg Martin stated each year the generosity from the clients, business associates has been outstanding. In the 19 years donated toys has always increased from the year previous. In 2007 – the Martin Clinic supplied 639 toys.
Ivan Downey the Director of Community and Family services stated the Martin Clinic is the largest single supplier for Toys within the Durham Region at Christmas . Elves stuffing toys included the twin-owners Greg and Scott Martin, Nancy Madigan, Debbie Betts, Ivan Downey, Clare and David Corrigan. Collectively this group loaded a van and four vehicles. The estimated retail value of Toys from locations was estimated over $30,000.00
The donated toys where simply amazing. Some donated gifts for delivery in time for Christmas included - Boys CCM Hockey Skates, Cabbage Patch Dolls, Build A Bear, hockey sticks, musical instruments etc. Infact their wasn’t a toy under $25.00 presented. Downey had company driving the Toys back to Church. One toy in particular didn’t stop talking during the trip.
Two time Oshawa presidents Stephen Hambley (’04-’06) and Jim Shaw president from 2005 represented the Optimist club at both locations.
Next up is the food hampers, This Sunday morning a group of dedicated volunteers meet at 6:30 am to pack 100 hampers for needy Oshawa families as selected by the Salvation Army from received application and screening progress.
The Optimist Club of Oshawa  have assembled 120 volunteers to load and deliver hampers.toys between 12 noon and 1:30 pm. Each delivery contacts ample stable  wfood for seven days including a festive Xmas Turkey. Retail hamper value is $15,000.00
Event coordinator Optimist Jim Shaw says “it’s a team effort by every one involved”. A tremendous amount of man-hours have been dedicated to-wards  this project. The Optimist Elves have established the delivery window from 12 noon till 1:30 pm on Sunday. Accu-weather long range forecast calls for sunny cold with temperatures listed at -5c. Sunday is the first day official of winter. Last year, it took over six hours for deliveries to be completed as a major snow storm prevail. Regardless the Hampers/toys where completed,
A Cavalcade of Hamper vehicles of 50 lead by Optimist Governor Paul Thomson, followed by current Oshawa president Petrina Perrineau and City of Oshawa councillor Tito Dante Marimpietri’s Family will be spearhead the cavalcade. The hampers and toys will be loaded into the vehicles by another group of o Optimist volunteer helpers.
Each month the Optimist Club of Oshawa operate one major event. The Optimist calendar years operates from

Oct lst, 2008 till Sept 30th, 2009.
Since October 2008 the annual Thomas A.Scero/Sydney H, Breland Memorial Durham College Athletic scholarships where awarded to Katie Watts and Derek Kyle. Both students are working with their varsity coaches Sunday  loading the toys. Durham College – UOIT Althetic director Ken Babcock is a volunteer for his fifth year while his administrative assistant Karen Richards and her daughter are also helping.
On Dec. 06,  the 19th annual Optimist Wado Kai Karate Tournament celebrated another successful event. Many Wado Kai executive and members are helping with deliveries. It’s a family affair with the operative words we are all sharing the responsibilities.
After the deliveries have been completed the Optimist Club of Oshawa members are hosting a well deserved Festive Buffet. It’s the Optimist way of offering a “Thank-You” for a job well done. CTV’s Joe Tilley will be this year Master of Ceremonies.
This year is especially rewarding it’s the 25th year and the need for food especially at this time of year becomes a “Rewarding Experience” for everyone involved.

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