The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive officially launches on Tuesday, Nov. 15, however collection bins are already setup at high-traffic places throughout the community. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

giving season

‘We want to get as much as we can:’ Great Nanaimo Toy Drive revs up annual campaign

Nov 15, 2022 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — A major holiday movement officially kicks off Tuesday.

Countless numbers of elves running the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive will be joined by the big guy in red to launch this year’s campaign, which collects new, unwrapped toys for families in need.

Stuart Setch, a volunteer with the Toy Drive and long-time toy contributor, told NanaimoNewsNOW they’ll begin their annual campaign with an event on Tuesday, Nov 15 at 3:30 p.m. at Woodgrove Centre.

“The need in the community is greater than its ever been and I can tell you first-hand that if you’re wanting to really get into the Christmas spirit, there’s no better way than purchasing a toy for a child in need.”

It starts a roughly month-long effort to collect as many toys and gifts for kids of all ages who may otherwise go without this holiday season.

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What’s collected will be sorted and distributed by an army of volunteers in mid-December.

“We don’t come into it with a goal of ‘we want to get this much’, we come into it with ‘we want to get as much as we can to do as much good as we can'”, Setch said. “There’s not a specific number we’re looking for, we’re just relying on the generosity of the community which has always come through.”

While items like Lego sets, dolls and sports gear are always in high demand, Setch said gifts for teenagers, particularly boys, seem to always be in short supply.

Items such as headphones, skateboards, sleeping bags or even young adult books are highly sought after.

A complete list of age-appropriate gift ideas is available on the toy drive’s website.

The gifts can be dropped off at a multitude of locations across Nanaimo including all Save-on-Foods stores, Country Club Centre, Nanaimo Museum and Woodgrove Centre.

Donations can be made right up until the holidays, however those looking to register to receive gifts for their children have until Dec. 2 to do so.

People can register online, a direct link is available here, or in person at any Loaves and Fishes location

Once all the registrations and donations are in, volunteers will sort and distribute them from their newly acquired location at the Maranatha Foursquare Gospel Church on Portsmouth Rd.

Setch said they only secured the spot last week, a true 11th hour deal.

“Every year, somehow somebody comes through. There was a tremendous amount of reaction from both NanaimoNewsNOW and the radio coverage. We’re just so grateful to the church for coming through.”

The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive has run since the early 1980’s, helping tens of thousands of Nanaimo area families have a happier holiday season.

Members of Nanaimo Fire Rescue ensure Santa stays safe prior to his big night, during a past launch of the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive. (submitted photo)

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley