Toy donations stolen in Toronto, residents use Web to reach out

The Toronto area is coming together after roughly $100,000 worth of toy donations was stolen late last month from a tractor-trailer in Etobicoke.

Two men seen wearing dark hoodies were caught on camera stealing a truck in Toronto's Rexdale Boulevard and Martin Grove Road area. The tractor-trailer was packed with hundreds of gifts for children in need. Peel Police have been collecting gifts for the Salvation Army's Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway. The toys stolen in the truck were saved from last year's drive and on their way to Toys for Tots, a partnership program between The Salvation Army and Peel Regional Police. The Salvation Army is now scrambling to secure enough gifts before Christmas. Police still need witnesses to come forward. Residents in the area are now taking matters into their own hands; with only three months remaining until Christmas, donation groups are being set up on popular networking sites such as Facebook. Members of these sites have started rallying friends and family to make a donation to their local Salvation Army or sponsor a family this Christmas season. Last year, more than 6,000 kids in the Peel Region had a toy to unwrap because of program. The stolen truck is being described as white with blue stickers on the side that read "Load King Trailer Rentals." The license plate is E31351 and the number 4848 can be found on the back door and the front of the trailer. The Salvation Army will also be holding its annual Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk across the country on Dec. 5. Participants joining the 5K run or 1K walk will be collecting pledges to raise funds that will help feed vulnerable families in communities across Canada during the holiday season. The Salvation Army is encouraging everyone this year to get their "jingle bells on" by registering on their website.