SOS Board Chair Jennifer Mullett (left) and SOS Executive Director Susanna Newton stand with Santa and Tigh-Na-Mara General Manager Paul Drummond in front of toys donated by guests at the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive. (Society of Organized Services)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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Parksville toy drive breaks donation records

Dec 1, 2022 | 4:41 PM

PARKSVILLE — A record-setting year for the 14th annual Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive.

Records for most toys donated in the last three years and the largest monetary donations of all time were counted for 2022, inching the Society of Organized Services (SOS) closer to its 2022 fundraising goal.

Executive director of SOS Susanna Newton said they were thrilled when the items were dropped off on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 30.

“We know we’ve had over 1,400 toys and gifts from that toy drive, as well as gift cards and cash donations. All of that will go towards our goal this year. This year, our financial goal is $200,000. So we’re not there yet, we’re certainly well on our way.”

A total of $19,567.56 was raised this year, which breaks down to 1,416 toys (including 25 bikes for the Bikes for Tykes program), $4,105.00 in gift cards, and $15,462.56 in cash or cheque donations.

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Tigh-Na-Mara staff volunteers admire gifts dropped off at the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive, benefitting the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program. The gifts will fill the SOS Toy Shop, where parents and grandparents in need will shop for free for their children. (Society of Organized Services)

Newton said SOS has benefitted from the toy drive since its inception and has always had incredible support from the community.

“Certainly are very grateful to Tigh-Na-Mara for the effort they put into it every year, and I think we broke all the records this year so that certainly speaks to the generosity of our community and the residence who support each other.”

Last year, SOS was able to help 869 local adults and provide gifts to 952 children, but Newton is anticipating the need to be greater this year.

Helps comes in the form of toys from the donations, or grocery store gift cards to add extra items to the holiday meal plan.

“The price of everything has gone up, so we’re anticipating we’ll have new people who feel in the past haven’t had to ask for help, and we make it really easy. It’s just a matter of registering the size of the family so we know what we will distribute in grocery store gift cards.”

Guests at the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive enjoy breakfast after dropping off their donation for the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program. (Society of Organized Services)

Every family who registers will receive one of the gift cards, while children’s guardians can spend time in their toy shop, picking out the appropriate items for their children, from babies to teenagers.

“There were so many great gifts I saw coming in, and some really big teddy bears too. If you weren’t able to attend, make a note for next year, because it’s certainly worth attending.”

This program is open to anyone in the Parksville area who may need a little extra help this year.

To register or for more information, you can visit the SOS website.

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