Toy drive to help robbed Salvation Army in memory of Riley Mercer
About $2,500 of toys for an annual drive was stolen from the Salvation Army in Conception Bay South in October. Now, one family says they'll be holding another toy drive to benefit the Salvation Army, as well as mark the first anniversary of their son's death.
Louise Mercer decided to initiate the new toy drive after the robbery. Her children Riley and Alex Mercer both died from similar forms of brain cancer.
With the first anniversary of Riley's death approaching on Dec. 10, Mercer said she wanted to do something special.
"Riley's first anniversary is coming up now on the tenth of December, and the last month or so I've been wanting to come up with a Christmas project that we could do in Riley's memory," she said.
"In light of all the toys that were stolen from the Salvation Army, I thought it would be a great idea to do the toy drive."
Mercer said she discussed the idea with Salvation Army Major Lorne Pritchett, and just the next day heard about four of her son's friends who had almost the exact same idea.
"I thought, 'What a coincidence,' and this could turn into a big toy drive for Riley. Riley loved to do everything big, and hopefully we're going to do a big toy drive in his memory," she said.
Making good memories in a hard day
Pritchett said since the robbery on Oct. 22, there was some worry about where they would get more toys from, the community members have more than taken care of it.
"The response has been excellent. The community has stepped up, and what it's done for us is, it's not only replacing the toys that were lost, but it's also caught the imagination of the community," said Pritchett.
"C.B.S. is a very giving, giving town, and this year we know right across the region that our demand is going to be up — tremendous demand this year — and people are responding in ways that are heartening for us."
Mercer said the family decided to hold the drive on the anniversary of his death because they didn't want to be alone that day, and so they can celebrate his life rather than mourn his death — and make the day a special day, in a positive way.
"The Salvation Army has been our church family for years, and they helped us so much with the loss of Alex and Riley, and now to just be able to give back just a little to them, it's great for us and again to keep Riley's and Alex's spirit and memory alive here in C.B.S. is really important to us, as well," she said.
Toy donations can be made at the Salvation Army's memorial service for Riley on Dec. 10, or they can be dropped off at Holy Spirit High School during regular school hours any day.
