Knowing there is a heavy need for Christmas donations this year, the Mackinac County Children’s Toy Drive has already begun fundraisers and is now accepting donated gifts. A pancake breakfast fundraiser will be Sunday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mackinac Grille restaurant in St. Ignace.

Also, this year Kewadin Shores Casino is planning a campaign called “care with us this holiday season” from Monday, November 16, through Monday, December 7. The casino will collect toys and winter clothes for the toy drive and non-perishable food for the St. Ignace Food Pantry and Hope Chest. The casino will hold a drawing for four $50 gift certificates for those who participate.

“As we approach our eighth year of running the toy drive, we know that there will be a strong need for several families needing donations for their children this Christmas,” said organizer Wendy Colegrove, who heads the local drive with Sally Hazen. Both are volunteers.

Donation canisters are located at the Zodiac Party Store, Holiday gas station, and the Big Boy Restaurant in St. Ignace and donation boxes collecting new toys, clothing, and electronics are now in place at the following locations: The St. Ignace News office, all locations of First National Bank, Glen’s Markets, the Gold Mine, True Value, and U.P. State Credit Union. Donation cards displaying donors’ names may also be found in local businesses.

All donations benefit needy children and families in Mackinac County. The drive has already held three fundraisers this year, Christmas in July, a bowling tournament, and a bake sale.

Last year, gifts were distributed to 60 families plus 100 individual children in the area in time for Christmas.

Donations may also be mailed to: Mackinac County Children’s Toy Drive (M.C.C. 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.

For more information, contact Mrs. Colegrove at 643-7456.