Virginia Dare Flotilla for Toys moved to Thanksgiving weekend

There are big changes for this year's Virginia Dare Flotilla for Toys, most notably the date. For years, the annual lighted boat parade was held the first weekend in December. This year, it will be Saturday, Nov. 27.

Alice Swain, manager of the Virginia Dare, said she moved the date because the lake is usually bustling that weekend with activity for the Thanksgiving holiday. Many of those people come in just for the week, she said.

"We're just hoping we'll get the people that are here," said Swain, adding that more people should mean more toys.

The Flotilla is an annual toy drive for A Child's Christmas, a program through Lake Christian Ministries that provides low-income area children with toys and clothing.

Captains and crew members of the boats that participate in the Flotilla are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation.

Boxes are set up at lake businesses to collect additional toys. People who do not participate in the parade, but who watch the boats go by, are asked to drop a toy in one of the collection boxes.

In addition to the toy boxes, Swain said change jars will be placed this year at area businesses at cash registers where customers can drop their spare change.

"With that money, we're going to buy more toys," said Swain.

Swain said businesses will either have a toy box or a change jar. To participate, business owners can call the Virginia Dare Marina.

Also new this year, the Flotilla is seeking event sponsors ranging from $100 to $500. Money would be used to pay for advertising to attract people to the event, and to pay for the event itself.

"We've been bearing the burden now for 12 years," said Swain, adding that the economy has made it difficult the past few years. "We're asking the community to please help us out."

Swain also is looking for businesses to donate small items or gift certificates that will be put into a few goodie bags that will be raffled among the Flotilla captains.

For more information about the Flotilla, call 297-7100 or visit vadarecruises.com.