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Rotary seeking toys, members for new lending program

Toy Lending Club launches on Jan. 11
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Are you tired of stepping on your kids' discarded Hot Wheels? That old Furby your child so desperately wanted a few years ago gathering dust in the closet?

The Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium has a solution: a toy lending library.

A concept that has already taken hold in other countries, toy libraries give children access to a variety of age-appropriate playthings and a chance to connect with other families in the community.

It's a project that was introduced by recent New Zealand émigré and Rotary Club member Thomas Christensen, whose own children used toy lending libraries regularly in his native country.

"It's a great opportunity for families with young children, and I know there are a lot of those in Whistler," he said. "It's a great way for the kids to borrow new toys ... It's like Christmas comes around every two weeks."

Launching Jan. 11 out of the Whistler Community Services Society building in Spring Creek, the library will be available to Sea to Sky families with children up to six years of age. The library will be open for two hours every week, with an array of different toys available for a two-week lending period. Kids will be allowed to take home up to four toys at a time.

Membership will be limited to 100 families on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will cost $70 a year, with an installment payment plan available upon request. Proceeds will go back into the lending program, with any additional funds supporting a local high school student that will be embarking on an international exchange through the Rotary next year.

The Rotary Club is seeking toy donations and library members now. Email rotarytlc@gmail.com to arrange for a toy pick-up or drop-off or to become a library member.