Salvation Army hopeful for donations amid cancellation of beloved Kelowna toy drive – Okanagan [Video]

Just like the event itself, Anna Jacyszyn was a fixture at the Tiny Tim Charity Breakfast and toy drive for many years.

“It meant everything,” Jacyszyn said. “It set up the season for Christmas giving.”

The Kelowna, B.C., singer not only performed at the iconic Christmas event but also emceed it.

She said news of the event being cancelled was a big disappointment.

“I’m gutted, yeah, really sad,” she told Global News.

The 20-year-plus event had been hosted by the Coast Capri Hotel, but last week, the hotel announced it was cancelling the beloved toy drive and breakfast event.

While it gave no reason for pulling the plug, the Capri stated in a news release that the hotel will be “supporting the community in new and different ways this year and moving forward.”

The event drew hundreds of people every year with new toys in hand.

The toys would be handed over …