Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Businesses and community members showed their generous spirit in large numbers last Friday and in the days following as the Mountain of Toys and Christmas Basket Drive was underway. At their main fundraising event at the Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department boxes upon boxes of toys were delivered and thousands of dollars in monetary donation were made. The grand total raised was $42,000.

“Everyone can really pat themselves on the back for coming together,” said Sesir Herne, director of the Akwesasne Basket Drive Board.

The Mountain of Toys fundraiser and Akwesasne Basket Drive are “programs run by the community for the people of the community,” said Brianna Cree, one of many volunteers.

While the Mountain of Toys event is a Christmas event, the donations keep giving all year long as the program has begun to offer donations to fire victims and families with health emergencies.

In its 13th year, Mountain of Toys gives boxes filled with food as well as toys for every child in the household to families who could use a helping hand during the holidays.

“This year the numbers are really high,” said Herne.

From Monday to Wednesday of this week volunteers at the Mountain of Toys holiday headquarters worked diligently like busy little elves preparing baskets and handing toys out to families and seniors.

“There are no income guidelines,” said Herne. “And we service ALL districts…It’s a wonderful unity thing for all of us.”

The spirit of giving is in the air every time the event approaches, as countless people contribute, whether it’s through their donations of toys or money, and by helping out in many ways: cooking at the fundraisers, collecting money at the door, packing baskets, taking photos, or delivering the baskets to those who are unable to pick them up.

“We have lists and lists of volunteers!” said Herne.

Nancy Oakes - volunteer

Giving is also a contagious act, as the event has caused many community members to organize their own little branches of fundraising for Mountain of Toys. Logan Cree, nicknamed the “Littlest Santa”, has donated his December birthday presents to the event for several years. Noonie Thomas and her children have donated a “Complete Christmas” every year in honor of Thomas’ father. Their gift includes a Christmas tree, toys and food. This year, the family of the late Tina Thompson did the same. Big E’s Chicken held a ribs dinner earlier this year and donated the proceeds to Mountain of Toys.

The event grows bigger and better each year.

(Editor’s note: Please see a full list of contributors and volunteers in the New Year.)