The Community Christmas Toy Project and food drive was a huge success this year at the Welland Optimist Club. The community showed their generosity by donating new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items during the drive-thru drop-off events hosted by the Club on Patterson Avenue in Welland on December 5 and 11. Over 215 pounds of food, and a large quantity of toys were collected, all going towards making the Christmas season a little bit brighter for those in need in our community. This year the food is being donated to the Welland Open Arms Mission. Thank you to the members of the Welland Optimist Club, and our CUPE Local 1115 members who came out and volunteered during the events.