No rest for Kathy Contini

Kathy Contini was called out of retirement this year to return to her post as convener for the annual Christmas Cheer drive.

Contini (shown) retired last year and enjoyed her time at home.

But this year she was called back to active duty when her replacement was taken out with an injury.

So, while Dianne Marshall is home recuperating from a broken hip, Contini is supervising the collection, sorting and distribution of Christmas Cheer items.

The Christmas Cheer Depot opened Tuesday in the former PUC building at 550a Second Line East and the entrance is on the west side of the building.

It's open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Contini is reminding people to get their gently used toys in before Saturday, December 10 so Santa's helpers have time to clean them up and get them ready to give away.

The cutoff date to receive names for Christmas Cheer is Thursday, December 15 at noon and people can call 254-7223 from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to apply for Christmas Cheer.

Last year, Christmas Cheer volunteers spent 29,214 hours to prepare and distribute baskets of toys, food, mittens, hats, books, puzzles and other items to 1,727 families in the Algoma district.