Construction of Swift Current’s Canadian Tire Toy Mountain begins Friday morning to ensure every local child has a gift to open this Christmas.

Toys and gifts will be accepted Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to help the Salvation Army in Swift Current with over 430 gift requests.

The Salvation Army’s new captain in Swift Current, Ian Scott, has organized a similar type of event in other provinces, but he’s excited about the generosity of southwest Saskatchewan.

“It’s always a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s exciting to see the community come together and rally around the spirit of Christmas and giving to families in need.”

This is the Sixth Annual Toy Days in Swift Current and Tyler Lemieux, general manager of Canadian Tire, has been with the adventure since its creation.

“Every year the need increases and our commitment has always been to ensure that every child receives a toy or gift under the tree,” he said. “Toys Days is how we do that. The public comes out to help us, donates gifts over the two days, then we match what was donated and make sure every child has a happy Christmas.”

More than 60 additional requests for children’s toys were submitted to the Salvation Army compared to last year, when approximately 580 toys and gifts were accumulated during the two-day event.

Scott highlighted the specific need for gifts for tweens, teens and infants, as the majority of gifts given at the event are aimed at children ages two to 10.

Toy donations can be purchased at Canadian Tire in person or online using the collection name “Toys Days”.

Individuals can also bring toys to contribute purchased at other stores.