Tacey Atkinson, technology specialist at the Campus Store, and Nancy McIntosh from Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, show off the haul of toys brought in by Brock's annual Adopt an Angel campaign.

Six hundred and fifty toys and the mountain of teddy bears, colouring sets, trucks, dolls, and action figures in the middle of the Campus Store keeps growing.

It’s an impressive haul of loot, donated by the Brock community after the store put out the call in November that its annual Adopt an Angel campaign was back and more children than ever were in need of some holiday cheer.

With the goal of helping 500 local children through the toy drive that benefits Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, Tacey Atkinson, Campus Store technology specialist, and crew made it as easy as possible to achieve.

The store offered a selection of superheroes, stuffed animals, and dolls that could be purchased by those pressed for time and unable to squeeze in a trip to the toy store.

People were also asked to add $1 to their tabs when making purchases at the store. That extra money went into a gift fund that added 170 more toys to  donations brought in by staff, faculty and students.

The campaign officially wrapped up Monday, but as she took in the mass of children’s playthings, Atkinson said she expected the pile to grow as the “tricklers” bring in their last-minute donations before Community Care trucks the pile away Friday.

Atkinson was more than happy with the results of a campaign whose goal it was to be as inclusive as it was helpful to Niagara.

“It makes you proud to be part of the Brock community,” she said.