There are few things more likely to make the GrinchB次元官网网址檚 heart grow three sizes than watching a childB次元官网网址檚 eyes glisten as they open the gift of a toy on Christmas morning.

And for parents, there are few things more fitting in the weeks leading up to Christmas than a stroll through a toy shop to choose just the right gift for their child. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why for 35 years the Salvation Army has set up a Christmas toy shop where parents who need a little help can walk the aisles and pick out the perfect gift for their little one.

B次元官网网址淭he Toy Shop is a magical place,B次元官网网址� Salvation Army spokesperson Kyla Ferns said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so special to watch the faces of parents as they choose the perfect toys for their children.B次元官网网址�

The gifts are given to the parents without charge so that poverty does not stand in the way of a childB次元官网网址檚 merry Christmas.

B次元官网网址淭he Salvation Army is all about dignity and hope,B次元官网网址� program coordinator Pat Humble said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 why we do it this way. The parents can go shopping and take the time to choose the right gift for their child, and it is just like shopping, except that they donB次元官网网址檛 need to pay.B次元官网网址�

This year, the program is funded, in part, by Black PressB次元官网网址� annual Pennies for Presents fundraiser. The campaign has run for 15 years and involves the collection of change and other money at the Black Press office at 818 Broughton St. There are also collection boxes placed in businesses throughout Greater Victoria.

B次元官网网址淭he campaign is very important to us,B次元官网网址� Black Press editorial director Kevin Laird said. B次元官网网址淭his is our chance to give back to our community.B次元官网网址�

Last yearB次元官网网址檚 campaign raised more than $14,000 that was divided among five local organizations. Funds from this yearB次元官网网址檚 campaign will be divided between the Salvation Army and the ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淲e have other campaigns, like our Angel Tag initiative where people can buy toys for the age and gender of their choice, but we find in that program, most people like to buy for small children,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧ennies for Presents lets us buy those gifts for age groups that are more challenging to accommodate. Older kids and teenagers need presents, too.B次元官网网址�

Last year the Salvation Army toy shop gave out more than 5,200 toys to more than 900 children. The Stan Hagen Centre, located at Quadra Street and Hillside Avenue, where the toy shop is located, also helped needy families with more than 1,300 food hampers.

Information on the Stan Hagen Centre can be found at salvationarmycfs.com.

Donations to the Pennies for Presents Campaign can be dropped off during office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays) throughout December or at any of the following businesses.

Mayfair Flower Shop - Suite 158-2945 Jacklin Rd  Langford

Quality Cobbler - Suite 140-2945 Jacklin Rd  Langford

Corona Foods - 2155 Sooke Rd

Dodds Furniture - 715 Finlayson Street  Victoria

Heirloom Linens - #380-777 Royal Oak Drive

- 751 Vanalman Avenue, Victoria

- 5550 West Saanich Road, Victoria

- 5325 Cordova Bay Road, Victoria

Peppers Foods - 3829 Cadboro Bay Road, Saanich

Oak Bay Pharmasave - 2200 Oak Bay Ave. Oak Bay

Salon Modello - 2590 Cadboro Bay Road

Slater's Meats - 2577 Cadboro Bay Rd, Oak Bay

Verico Select Mortgage - 105-1497 Admirals Rd, Victoria

- 3212 Jacklin Road

Verico Select Mortgage - 1925 Oak Bay Avenue

Verico Select Mortgage - Suite 110-4460 Chatterton Way

Brick Langford - Suite 500-2945 Jacklin Rd

Capital Iron - 1900 Store Street  Victoria

4Cats Art Studio - 2279 Bowker Avenue

Standard Furniture - 758 Cloverdale Ave

Feys+Hobbs Canteen - 2249 Oak Bay Ave.

Goldstream Food Market - 976 Goldstream Ave.