SANTA ANA : Old Puzzles Sought to Benefit Elderly
A national game store chain with an outlet in Santa Ana has kicked off a campaign to recycle old puzzles and donate them to elderly people in local nursing homes.
The Game Keeper, based in the Santa Barbara suburb of Goleta, wants to collect 10 million puzzle pieces for its Pieces of Caring drive.
“The public is encouraged to do some spring cleaning and bring in their unwanted new or used complete jigsaw puzzles,” a company release said.
The chain, which sells games for adults and young adults, hopes to collect 10,000 to 15,000 puzzles nationally from its 27 stores across the country. The Santa Ana store, in the MainPlace mall, hopes to collect at least 400.
The puzzles “will hopefully give (elderly or incapacitated people) something to do and put a little joy in their lives,” said Gary Marks, manager of the Santa Ana store.
The collection drive, which started Monday, will continue through May 17. The person or group which collects the most puzzle pieces will be awarded a grand prize of a puzzle gift basket supplied by Lombard Marketing, makers of the brand BePUZZLED and co-sponsors of the drive.
Contributors may drop off puzzles at the store, 2800 Main St. Receipts will be issued for donated puzzles, which may be redeemed at the end of the drive for discounts on purchases, free puzzles, or the grand prize, Marks said.
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