Toy drive by Mohawk Mountaineers to assist children, women at Hamilton emergency shelter

Hamilton | Amateur | Community | Latest News | Sports |

By

Published November 23, 2022 at 10:53 am

The athletically inclined at Mohawk College are teaming up to assist Hamilton families through a toy drive, with opportunities to donate at the Mountaineers’ last volleyball and basketball doubleheaders before the holidays.

This week, Mohawk’s athletic and recreation department launched its annual Bernetta Scime Toy Drive with all proceeds going to Martha House — Good Shepherd Centres. Martha House is a 40-bed emergency shelter for individuals and their children who are unhoused and fleeing violence and abuse.

For several years, Mohawk’s has held a toy drive to support a local Hamilton charity or organization during the holiday season.

“Our Mountaineer student-athletes have the potential to make our community a better place by positively impacting numerous families through their donations this holiday season,” states Kaitlyn Pitek, Mountaineers supervisor of high performance and community engagement. “It is important to instill lifelong values in our athletes, and community impact is a central piece of these values we want them to take away from their experience at Mohawk.”

The full wish list from Martha House, with recommended items for children up to age 2, ages 3-7, ages 8-12, and for women, can be viewed at mohawkmountaineers.com.

The toy drive typically receives generous donations from across Mohawk College and from community supporters of Mountaineer Athletics.

“I am very proud of how our supporters come to the aid of our community’s most vulnerable people, especially during the holidays,” states Cathy Wellwood, Good Shepherd’s chief development officer. “Because of partners like Mohawk College and the Mountaineers Toy Drive, we will have the opportunity to spread some much-needed joy throughout our community this year.”

The toy drive runs until Dec. 15. Donations can be dropped off to R105 in the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre (DBARC), at the bottom of the stairs across from the main gymnasium, or to the DBARC front desk.

Donations are also being accepted during two upcoming home doubleheaders over the next week.

The volleyball Mountaineers are home on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 26) against the Humber Hawks (women’s game 1 p.m., men’s game at 3 p.m.). The basketball Mountaineers host the Sheridan Bruins on Thursday, Dec. 1 (6 and 8 p.m.).

Mohawk is No. 8 in the Canadian men’s college basketball ranking.

 

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising