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Coins help Nanaimo kids learn and play

News Bulletin’s Coins for Kids campaign collecting for charity
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Coins for Kids volunteers Pete MacDonald, left, and Ian Thorpe hope people will drop donations in collection jars to help the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive and BGC Central Vancouver Island this holiday season. Coin jars are at all Quality Foods locations in Nanaimo, at John’s Bedrooms, and at the Nanaimo News Bulletin office. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Those who give to the Coins for Kids campaign can be certain that those dollars and cents are going to kids – both on Christmas Day and afterward.

The Nanaimo News Bulletin’s charity drive, which happens all year long but amplifies its efforts at this time of year, supports the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive and BGC Central Vancouver Island, formerly the Boys and Girls Club.

The toy drive, aside from collecting donated toys, games and books, can always use cash donations, say organizers.

“The funds that come in through Coins for Kids helps the volunteers purchase toys and gifts to fill the gaps that happen when not enough toys are donated for a particular age group,” said Carolyn Iles, toy drive director, in an e-mail. “This helps make sure there are appropriate toys for all those kids in our area that might not have a present at Christmas.”

BGC is finding that its popular early-years program is the area where the greatest need exists. Even with expansion of the Ladysmith location and a third Nanaimo location in the works, programs are full with wait-lists, said Karen Love, BGC Central Vancouver Island executive director. She said donations through Coins for Kids help with supplies and other costs to run the program for kids up to five years old.

“We like to focus on making sure the early years programs are enhanced, it’s such an important area,” said Love.

To support Coins for Kids, drop donations in the jars at any Quality Foods location in Nanaimo, at John’s Bedrooms or at the Nanaimo News Bulletin office. Donations can also be made online at http://nanaimofoundation.com/nanaimo-news-bulletin-coins-for-kids-fund.

RELATED: Coins for Kids Christmas-time charity campaign now collecting



editor@nanaimobulletin.com

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