Volunteer Christmas Elves working to fill Santa Sacks during the 2020 Great Nanaimo Toy Drive. (Great Nanaimo Toy Drive)

By Jordan Davidson

season of giving

Giving community spirit fuels Great Nanaimo Toy Drive

Nov 12, 2021 | 5:31 AM

NANAIMO – A toy for every child this Christmas is the goal of the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive.

This year they are only looking for new toys or gift cards since the pandemic forced them to stop accepting used toys.

Carolyn Iles, communications director for the toy drive, said this event is a staple in the community for over 40 years.

“It’s a great way for families to share in the joy of Christmas. That includes seniors who maybe don’t have children nearby and it includes children that we want to teach compassion to. So everyone is encouraged to get involved.”

She said anybody can donate a toy by dropping the new, unwrapped toys for kids ages 0-16 to multiple areas in the city. Those include all three Save-On-Foods locations, Woodgrove Centre and near London Drugs at the Nanaimo North Town Centre.

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“It’s a way anybody can get involved, because when everybody in the community helps, it’s possible to do a lot of things. In 2019, we had almost 500 families and that was almost 1,300 children who received toys thanks to our community.”

Sports toys like footballs and soccer balls are always popular with kids.

For older teens, gift cards and pajama onesies are most desired. More suggestions are also available on their website, or you can ask a kid what the hot toys are for the year.

Those looking to receive a gift can register over the phone beginning Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Dec. 3. Lines will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and the number will be posted on their website once registration opens.

In pre-pandemic times, parents could pick and choose the toys they wanted. This year it will all be done over the phone, with volunteer elves filling a “Santa Sack” which can be picked up on Dec. 15-16.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow