A row of tables outside Elements Casino in Chilliwack were stacked high with toys and gifts on Saturday.
It was all part of the 11th annual Drive-Thru Toy Drive hosted by the casino and The Art of Driving School on Dec. 7.
That day, people came by to drop off donations of toys that will be used to fill Christmas hampers for Chilliwack families and children in need this holiday season.
"It's been a great turnout," said Rhonda Dyck with Elements Casino. She, along with Justin Mallard, have been organizing the toy drive since the beginning.
There were a lot of people who brought in new, unwrapped gifts before the day of the event, plus people and businesses donated cash.
"With the local businesses that came on board this year, we were able to purchase roughly $4,000 of gifts," said organizer Justin Mallard.
That money was spent entirely on presents for teenagers, purchasing items like soccer balls, footballs, sports gear, art supplies and more. Other monetary donations that came in on Saturday will go towards buying gift cards for teens.
"We focused all of that money on the older kids making sure that they've got a beautiful Christmas to wake up to in the morning."
Those who brought donations were given a complimentary breakfast that morning as a thank-you.
All toys and financial contributions benefit the Chilliwack Community Services Christmas Sharing Program, a critical resource for hundreds of local families during the holiday season.
