A record number of toys and donations were collected through the 17th annual Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive in Parksville on Wednesday. (Megan Gibson/88.5 The Beach)

By Alex Rawnsley

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

New records set for Parksville’s Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive

Nov 27, 2025 | 5:29 PM

PARKSVILLE — It’s poised to be one of the brightest Christmas’ yet throughout the Oceanside region.

The annual Tigh Na Mara Toy Drive wrapped with their community breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 26, capping a two-week campaign of collecting money, gift cards and new, unwrapped toys for those struggling this time of year.

Resort general manager Jim Hykaway said they raised a record $36,407.55 in cash and gift cards, to go along with just over 3,000 toys and other gifts, all of which will go to the Society of Organized Services for distribution locally.

“It’s truly incredible and heartwarming how the community of Parksville and Qualicum Beach steps up year after year after year, not only for this toy drive. There’s so many different volunteers in the community, there’s so much spirit of giving back to community here, I’ve lived here 20 years, and it is truly special.”

Last year’s drive raised just over $30,000 and around 2,700 toys and gifts.

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Also up this year, and coming in a slightly different form, were donations to the Bikes for Tykes program.

The initiative sees Tigh Na Mara staff donate through payroll deductions to purchase bikes for local children, of which 45 were purchased last year.

Around $8,500 was collected for this year’s campaign.

Hykaway said the idea came about to diversify the offerings so 20 bikes and another 30 scooters were donated this year, with Tigh-Na-Mara chef Eric Edwards getting credit for making the program work.

“He made the relationship with Canadian Tire, who we buy all of our bikes from,” Hykaway said. “The whole idea is just that we can donate bikes to the SOS and then they get given to families in need. The bikes can be used by young children or teenagers to get around town and they can be passed down to their siblings.”

The campaign is one which has ingrained itself into the Oceanside community over the last 17 years and is set to continue for some time yet.

Nearly 1,200 people came to enjoy breakfast on Wednesday for the toy drive’s final day, almost eclipsing the number of meals exchanged for gifts in the previous two weeks.

“There’s no question, we’re going to keep doing it. It keeps growing every year, and it’s a big part of our culture, it’s a big part of what we do, and it’s really the kickoff of Christmas season for us. It’s all about community, and it’s all about the spirit of giving, and our team members love it.”

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