A can drive by five youths of St. Ignace raised $120 for the Mackinac County Children's Toy Drive in late October. Volunteers are (from left) Cody Augustson, Meghann Colegrove, Sharman Colegrove, Morgan Rae, and (not pictured) Whitney Matson. The toy drive is now accepting donations, and its next fundraiser will be a lasagna dinner at the St. Ignace Moose Lodge Sunday, November 16, at 5:30 p.m. Anticipating a heavy need for Christmas donations this year, the Mackinac County Children's Toy Drive is planning a fundraising lasagna dinner this Sunday and selling $1 donation cards in addition to collecting money and donated toys. Donation canisters will be in place in local businesses this week.

"We do think there will be a lot of families seeking donations for their children this Christmas," said organizer Wendy Colegrove, who heads the local drive with Sally Hazen. Both are volunteers.

A homemade lasagna dinner will be served at the Moose Lodge in St. Ignace Sunday, November 16, at 5:30 p.m. It is open to the public and the cost of admission is by donation. Proceeds will benefit the toy drive and the Moose Lodge Christmas food basket program. A silent auction and 50/50 raffle will take place, and those who bring a new toy to donate will be entered in a door prize drawing.

Also new this year, customers at McGregor Shell and First National Bank in St. Ignace will be able to buy a $1 donation card displaying their name.

Cash canisters are placed at McGregor Shell, Autore Shell, Truck Stop station, the Holiday, Pines Trading Post, Timmy Lee's Pub, the Hope Chest, Bentley's Bn L Cafe, and the Big Boy restaurant in St. Ignace.

Boxes to collect new, unwrapped toys, electronics, and clothing will be placed Saturday, November 15, at the following locations: The St. Ignace News office, all locations of First National Bank, Glen's Market, the Gold Mine, True Value, and U.P. State Credit Union.

All donations benefit needy children and families in Mackinac County.

Last year, gifts were distributed to 53 families plus 100 individual children in the area in time for Christmas.

Donations may also be mailed to: Mackinac County Children's Toy Drive in care of Wendy Colegrove, 152 Bertrand Street, St. Ignace Michigan 49781 or The St. Ignace News, P.O. Box 277, St. Ignace.