Donations continue to come in for the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive, amid record registrations. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

season of giving

Record registrations for Great Nanaimo Toy Drive prompting call for volunteers

Dec 11, 2025 | 12:39 PM

NANAIMO — More people than ever are saying they need a little help this holiday season.

Over 850 families and more than 1,700 children are registered to date to receive gifts from the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive, representing record numbers for the annual winter holiday campaign.

Toy Drive board chair Janet Mirau told NanaimoNewsNOW it’s been non-stop since registration opened in late November for the 40-plus-year-old event.

“It started out really strong, we had so many people register in the first days, and we’ve also seen a resurgence of late registrations coming in this week as well. It’s not been a surprise, but it is a lot more than we thought we were going to have.”

Mirau said despite the jump in the number of kids and families seeking help, the community has come through with donations.

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She told NanaimoNewsNOW collection locations at local shopping centres, Save-On-Foods locations and other business partners are routinely filled.

Collections are also taking place at local Nanaimo Buccaneers and Nanaimo Clippers junior hockey games in December.

“We are really seeing a real outpouring from the community. At all of our drop-off locations, as well as at our organizations who are doing things in their business world to bring things to us, we certainly are seeing the needs being met, but we know we’re going to have a bit of a shortfall.”

Gifts for teens are proving the most difficult to collect, with items such as headphones, hair styling tools, makeup, arts & crafts supplies, LEGO and sporting equipment among the recommended donations for the age group.

Cash donations made through their website will also help the shortfall in gifts.

Mirau said they’re also trying to fill a few last-minute shifts at their Dufferin Cres. processing centre on Tuesday, Dec. 16, Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20 to prepare the shopping experience for registered families.

Those with some time to spare can sign up for a specific, three-hour shift by clicking here.

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