Monday, Nov. 15, marks the official start of the annual Gifts for Canton drive, but you don’t have to wait until then to make a donation, especially if your vehicle has some minor dings and dents that need to be repaired.
Steve Roberto, owner of Body Parts LLC, a paintless dent removal business, will be in the parking lot in front of the former Canton Discount Food Outlet in Canton Village Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to smooth out your vehicle’s minor problems. All proceeds will go toward supporting Gifts for Canton and its effort to help town residents in need.
Prices will start at $50, which Roberto says is a significantly reduced charge, and the average repair time will be 15 minutes.
This is the fourth year that Roberto, a Canton resident, has donated his time and skill for “Gifts.” He says he raised about $1,300 the first year, $2,500 the second and $3,800 a year ago.
“Last year I showed up at 8:15 and there were 20 cars waiting,” Roberto says. His goal this year: $4,000.
“I had been active with the chamber of commerce, and i had always watched people helping other people,” Roberto says in explaining why he volunteered for Gifts. “I think as an individual, as you get older and maybe more comfortable in your life, it kind of becomes a responsibility to help others if you can.”
If you’re interested spiffing up your vehicle a bit, you might want to check the Body Parts LLC website to get an idea whether the damage to your vehicle is something Roberto can handle. You’ll also be able to get an assessment from volunteers in the parking lot Saturday.
“I’ll have lot of people there helping me manage the line, do the paperwork, look at the vehicles and qualify them,” he says.
The Gifts for Canton drive officially begins Monday, Nov. 15, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 12. Gift collection boxes and coin collection boxes will be placed at numerous locations around town (see list below).
Unwrapped and new gift items are needed for all ages (teenagers are often overlooked, says drive Chairwoman Ann Gagnon), and can include, among other things, toys, books and gift certificates for clothes, household items and food. Cash donations are also welcomed (see information below), and arrangements can be made for donation pickups.
Another major event in the drive, “Stock the Cruiser,” is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Shoppes at Farmington Valley, where visitors will be encouraged to stuff a Canton Police Department patrol car with gifts, gift certificates and nonperishable food items.
River 105.9 & Country 92-5 will be on hand, along with Cory Meyers from the 92-5 morning show. There will be prizes and activities for kid and adults, and Santa is expected to visit.
Donated items will be distributed through the Canton Food Bank at Trinity Episcopal Church, 55 River Road (Route 179), Collinsville, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, starting between 9 and 9:30 a.m., Gagnon said. All Canton residents are eligible with a valid ID. Registration will be handled by the food bank. “Anyone in Canton in need can go and select a limited number of items,” Gagnon said.
Items are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis, Gagnon said, so folks usually begin arriving at the church well in advance of the scheduled opening.
Gift cards or donations (checks should be made out to Gifts for Canton) can be sent year round to Gifts for Canton, c/o the Canton Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 704, Canton, CT 06019. Additional information can be obtained by calling Gagnon at 860-693-4988 or the chamber at 860-693-4050.
Dropoff locations, beginning Nov. 15, are as follows:
AT&T, Bank of America, Canton Chamber of Commerce, Canton Public Library, Cherry Brook Primary School, Canton Historical Museum, Canton intermediate, middle and high schools, Canton Senior Center, Carol & Company, Collinsville Congregational Church, Collinsville Savings Society (all locations), Church of Latter Day Saints, Curves For Women, office of Dr. Charles Bonelli and Flatbread Company.
Also, Larsen Ace Hardware, LaSalle Market & Deli, La Trottoria, McDonald’s of Canton, New England Appliance, New England Scrapbook Co., North Canton Community Methodist Church, Rice Fields, ShopRite of Canton, Stepping Stones, The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, Trinity Episcopal Church and Trinity Nursery School.
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