Cambridge Salvation Army begins distribution of toys for annual Toy Mountain campaign

The Cambridge Salvation Army has begun the distribution of toys their annual Toy Mountain campaign.

Over 3,000 children are expected to receive a gift through this year’s campaign, a new record for the city of Cambridge. Last year, the campaign provided 2,875 children with presents and gifts in the city.

Captain Danette Woods, a corps officer and executive director with the Cambridge Salvation Army, said they have received an enormous amount of support from the community for this year’s campaign.

“I’m constantly getting emails and phone calls from people wanting to do toy drives for us,” said Woods. She notes they have more companies than ever before doing toy drives.

“It’s been absolutely incredible, the community has been fantastic.”

This year’s campaign has been set up at 50 Ainslie Street North in Downtown Galt. The Salvation Army’s building on Shade Street is currently undergoing renovations. The organization originally reached out to a major retailer to rent space, but could not.

Woods said over 20 volunteers along with staff help with the workload to help families select presents. Each child receives a main gift, two secondary gifts, a stocking stuffer, a small “stuffie” and a puzzle game for each family. Some of the groups with the lowest amount of gifts include teenagers, girls aged eight to 11 and babies.

The campaign runs from Monday until December 22.

2023 Cambridge Salvation Army Toy Mountain Campaign