Tolko and its Vernon corporate office social club members gave back to the community in a big way this Christmas.

Throughout the year, the social club and various departments in the office raised money through cookie sales, ice cream days and raffles.

This holiday season, $2,500 cash was split among local charities, including Teens Count Too, the Gateway Shelter, the Upper Room Mission, Cammy LaFleur Street Nurse Outreach and Saving Smiles.

Five families were also sponsored through Vernon Women’s Transition House.

“Tolko is a family-owned company and we strongly believe in giving back to the communities in which we operate,” said Maritza Reilly, social club member.

In early December, the office held a food drive and in addition to a truck load of food, $450 in gift cards to local grocery stores were donated and $400 cash was raised.

Those funds were used to purchase gift certificates to the movie theatre and the Vernon Recreation Complex. They were donated to Transition House.

“We were a little behind the annual goal this year, so we sent a notice to all employees in the office,” said Reilly.

“Corporate offered up a generous donation and the employees gave with open hearts. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”