By Celia Dyer
Santa Claus is coming to town! Only this year, he’ll be driving a 4x4.
Everyone is welcome to join in and participate in the First Annual South Shuswap Toy Drive.
The fun happens on December 6 at Blind Bay Hall from 2 - 6 pm.
Four Wheel Drive enthusiasts and members of the 4WD Association of BC will be meeting in the hall parking lot with their rigs decked out for Christmas, and packed like Santa’s sleigh with toys.
Sorrento Towing and Repair will host a Toy Run at Blind Bay Hall on December 6. Pictured are some of the generous toy donations already received. (Photos by Jason Lutterman)
Organizers are quick to remind us that this is a community event open to everyone; there will just happen to be some pretty cool cars and trucks to add to the festivities.
Inside the hall, there will be music, food, and an appearance from a very holly, jolly special guest!
The organizers would love the community's help. You can bring your donations of unwrapped toys on the day of the event, or drop them off early at Sorrento Towing and Repair, TireCraft, or Sorrento Parts. Gifts for teens are particularly needed.
Jason Lutterman, initiator of the project, is thrilled with the response so far. Besides local businesses offering to collect toys, other local organizations and individuals have stepped up to help in a variety of ways; proving what Jason has always known: this community is full of exceptionally kindhearted people.
The toys will be distributed to local children through the Sorrento Food Bank, River of Life Church, the SAFE Society and the North and South Shuswap Community Resources (NSSCR).
The wish of the organizers is to bring Christmas magic to those in our own communities who are in need of a little extra cheer.
If you, or someone you know, could use a little comfort and joy, please reach out to:
River of Life Church at connect@riveroflifec.ca,
Sorrento Food Bank at sorfood@shaw.ca,
NSSCR at nsscr@live.ca
The 4WD Association of BC (4WDABC) is no stranger to organizing events like these.
Years ago, Jason participated in a toy run in Kamloops, sponsored by the 4WDABC. Over the years he saw what the organization had done for Kamloops and he knew he needed to organize a similar event for our community. “Times are hard and there are families who need some support. This community is unbelievably generous and already I know this is going to be an outstanding success.”
Lianne Elizabeth, another 4WD buff, has been working with Jason to bring the South Shuswap Toy Drive to life. She and her husband Corey have been coordinating the Kamloops Toy Drive for the past three years. “This year, we decided we wanted to focus on our own community. We have always believed in the importance of helping when we can. The people here are some of the best around and it’s an easy decision to give back.”
So mark December 6 on your calendar and bundle up the whole family for a whole bundle of fun. Come celebrate the holidays with good people, for a good cause!
You can follow the 2026 South Shuswap Toy Drive Facebook Event for more details
