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Dube said the amount of cash donations tripled over last year‘s figures because of a special circumnstance. A final count of the donaâ€" tions indicated about 2,500 new toys came in, along with 600 used toy and $9,000 in cash donations, which was used to purchase new toys. Dube said contributions from businesses, schools, and groups from the local univerâ€" sities helped put the donaâ€" tions over the top. "But we also knew that the largest chunk of donations usually comes in the week before Christmas when peoâ€" ple are really taking shopping seriously." "We were pretty worried," said campaign organizer George Dube. "Many requests came in during the first couâ€" ple weeks of December, and for some we had to say that we didn‘t have anything, and told them to hold on to see what we could get. ‘The 2002 Caravan But good things come to those who wait, and the comâ€" munity was able to fill the gap just in the nick of time, and enabled the drive to meet all requests. With only 30 per cent of their goal of 2700 newâ€"toy donations reached the week before Christmas, campaign success looked pretty bleak. 'Ifi\ere were some anxious moments leading up to Christmas for organizers behind the Waterloo Knights of Columbus New Toys for Needy Kids holiday toy drive. Knights of Columbus toy drive successful By Anorea Baiey Chronicle Staff Dube said the help received from the rest of the community, as well as the Tree of Angels toy drive, which donated some toys to the Knights‘ campaign, was also appreciated. "I‘d like to think we did a good job at carrying the torch and that Chuck would have been proud of what we did." Dube said the committee was able to keep Waurechen‘s spirit in the campaign process with help from his family and friends who took time to help gather toys. "In the past, 1 think there were only about five volunâ€" teers working on it, with Chuck of course doing the most. The amount of work he put in was just incredible." But Dube said the camâ€" paign committee tried to implement Waurechen‘s past methodology where they could, with the help of many volunteers. "We had about 50 volunâ€" teers put in more than 1,000 hours of volunteer time each," he said. Dube also said he has a newfound respect for all of Waurechen‘s work after overâ€" seeing his first campaign. "I have no idea how one person could do so much," Dube said. "It just defies logic." "Seeing _ the memorial donations come in was a nice touch," Dube said. The late Chuck Waurechen, founder of the toy drive who passed away in October, requested cash donations made at his funeral be donatâ€" ed to the holiday campaign. EdwardJones "It‘s not just a twoâ€"month activity. This is a yearâ€"round process." "Next year will be better for us," he said. "We‘re planning to have all our ducks in a row before November/December. Now there‘s a way to cover big expenses in the future â€" like your retirement â€" with a small investâ€" ment in the present. With Zero Coupon Bonds made up of Governmentâ€"backed issues, a $4,950 investment could be worth as much as $10,000 in 11 years. Dube said now that he knows the challenge, his comâ€" mittee will begin preparations for next year‘s campaign within the next couple of months. "Between the volunteers, the sponsors and the people doing the giving, everyone really banded together and the true spirit of Christmas came through. Without that multitude of support, our sucâ€" cess wouldn‘t have occurred." nsk on meo coupen bands may be pmatehan on en panrp Bongs Sccomd ntwrst s pad at matety but s Aate expressed asthe lowe:of uic io maturty x uid t callafectn 21490 Saect 10 madabity Mamat rsk $10,000+* s prov to maturty date EMicts of martet prate Tan on rianest ’ Publication Date: March 20, 2002 | Advertising Deadline: February 28, 2002 1 in v idns A sense of tssA NCE ) belonging â€" that‘s :‘f;A% what people want _ *‘S}‘HI community and wl *‘ * . s * from their l‘ :. W . community y ""”“;:” newspaper. We 3 ;fl C will be publishing ooE a special edition in o ~alloley~. that will explore | oi S and celebrate our ty = community. P ; 55 2¢: Participate and give @@eessea . e our readers a T â€" glimpse into your t tea®: business and their x community. We as a newspaper are m " proud to be a part of this community and we look forward to making this an award winning publication â€" one that will be read for years to come. mmâ€"Geming your compniniey since HBSG â€"â€" \ WATERLOO CHRONICLE / V‘ feew: g@ 19 4t > i «d henls m