crich area community news
Crich Toy Library
Festive Fundraiser
The snow added to the festive feel of Crich Toy Library’s Christmas Party at the Glebe, during the last Stay and Play session for the year 2009. Hardy Toy Library members pushed their buggies through the snow to enjoy the party, which raised £147 for the Toy Library.
The main attraction was the Adventure Flow, an underwater-themed series of tunnels and pods to be explored and played in, which proved so popular it was hired on the spot for a birthday party. There were also various ride-on toys to add to the mayhem!
In a quieter room the children decorated paper crowns which they wore throughout the morning and took home; they played in ‘magic snow’, a reusable substance which looks and feels like real snow and which was available for sale along with squeezibeadz and thermal safety cups. There were a variety of other toys out to be discovered and played with, all of which are available to hire from the Toy Library.
The atmosphere was made even more Christmassy by the happy fact that many Dads and grandparents came as well as Mums, and all were treated to a cup of tea or real coffee and a mince pie; the children had their party snack picnic-style on mats on the floor. Santa called in to give them each a small gift, a few rounds of Jingle Bells and plenty of ho-ho-hos! The party ended with a sing-song rounded off as always with the hokey-cokey.
Cindi Blunt who co-ordinates the Stay and Play sessions thanked everyone for coming, for supporting the Toy Library throughout the year and for making the party a success. She also thanked the many volunteers without whom the Toy Library would not be able to flourish and serve the children and families in this wonderful community.
The raffle was very well supported and raised over £30. The Toy Library committee would like to say a big thank you to The Loaf, Crich Butchers, the Croft Greengrocers, Costcutter, Chucklebutties and the Tramway Museum for generously donating prizes. There were also several other prizes that had been donated privately.
To become a life-time member of Crich Toy Library costs £5 which allows access to a huge variety of toys, games and equipment for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school aged children, all for a nominal hire charge. There is also a selection of sensory toys available for hire, which are particularly engaging for children with special needs.
Members can come to Stay and Play sessions held at the Glebe every Monday morning during term times and holidays
from 9.30 to 11.30; sessions cost £1.50 which includes one week’s toy hire, a hot drink and a children’s snack containing fresh fruit kindly donated every week by Steven Stokoe at the Croft Greengrocer’s in Crich. Many thanks to Steven for his generous ongoing support. Thanks also to the Children’s Centre who have been supporting and helping with the Stay and Play sessions.
If you would like to know more about toy hire, Stay and Play or would be interested in volunteering with the Toy Library please contact Ann-Marie McMillan on 0845 009 3019.