After one year away, the annual Toys For Tots To Teens breakfast is returning to its longtime home at the Penticton Lakeside Resort for its 23rd year .
This year’s event will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22.
‘It’s a wonderful, feel good event that we look forward to doing every year, knowing that it’s going to help make Christmas that much more special for our community,” said Elizabeth Cucnik, Lakeside spokesperson.
Founded in 1994 at the old Penticton Inn by then-manager Jack Swoboda, the concept was simple. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child or teenager and the inn provided a free hot breakfast.
Read more: 2015 Toys for Tots to teens a success
When the inn closed, it moved to the Lakeside Resort and continued to grow in size. In 2015, the format was changed and it moved to Canadian Tire, supporters of the event from day one.
While the format has been tweaked over the years, the concept has remained the same.
This year’s event is from 6 - 9 a.m. at the Lakeside (Nov. 22) and will again offer a full line-up of entertainment plus a breakfast served by local celebrities.
Various dignitaries and community groups will also be on hand to collect the toys at the door.
For those unavailable to come to the breakfast, the event will resume at Canadian Tire later that same day where toys may be dropped off until 8 p.m.
“Why do people get involved? It’s families helping families, kids helping kids and corporate donors supporting the community,” said event chairperson, Karen Davy.
More than 10 beneficiary groups provide a list to Toys for Tots to Teens and volunteers make every effort to fulfill the dream list.