An anonymous gift giver has been found after a generous donation was left at the YorkMix Toy appeal last month.
York’s very own Secret Santa gifted £500 worth of children’s toys to Asda Monks Cross, but didn’t leave a name or any information.
The donation was found to have come from a business called Mozer, run by Alison Zalecki from York.
On the 13th November, Alison gave each of her staff £100 and assigned them an age category to buy toys for.
The team rallied around Monks Cross, locating the best deals for their budget.
Alison told YorkMix, “I went into hobby craft to get quite a few things and I told the woman at the till what I was doing.
“I paid for some of it in cash and I didn’t have quite enough, so I was about to pay for the rest of it on my card, but she let me use her staff discount so I got another two items because of that!”
Alison had been looking for an initiative like the YorkMix Toy Appeal online, so she could provide gifts to families in need this Christmas.
As a Mother, she feels heartbroken at the thought of children dreading waking up without any presents, feeling embarrassed going back to school, or parents stressing over finances.
“It’s just such a nice time of year. I could cry thinking about how awful some people might feel with it coming up and not be able to have the joy and the nice time that I have with my son.” Alison told YorkMix.
Alison’s family is Polish, so each year they host their festive celebrations on Christmas Eve.
For the last 15 years, she has spent her Christmas Day volunteering at a community centre in Selby, as well as for the Salvation Army.
“We pick up older people who’ve got no family left and would be on their own, or people who can’t afford to have the Christmas dinner and we all have that together. I love it, it’s so rewarding.” Alison added.
The team at Mozer believe that if a business, or individuals, have the financial capacity to donate to the scheme they should do so.
“I don’t know how to say this without sounding a certain way, but it’s the time of year where you’re not supposed to be thinking of yourself for once and thinking of other people, and this is the best way to capture that.” Alison said.
The YorkMix Toy Appeal aims to provide for families, through no fault of their own, who can’t afford to treat their loved ones to gifts this Christmas.
The scheme works alongside ASDA Monks Cross and York Designer Outlet, to help ensure that no child wakes up on Christmas Day without a gift.
YorkMix are asking people to donate new and unwrapped toys between now and Sunday 15 December.
There are drop off points dotted around the city.
The list includes:
- ASDA Monks Cross
- York Designer Outlet
- Oxygen Activeplay, York (Clifton Moor)
- NNFCC on York Science Park
- Rural Payments Agency, Foss House, Peasholme Green
- Hilton York
- One Stop, Walmgate
- York St John University
- Skipton Building Society Malton Branch
- Anne Lister College at the University of York
- Waggon & Horses, Lawrence St York
For more information on the appeal, click here.