In the News! Community comes together to donate toys for families in need
Posted on November 20, 2024 by
Community comes together to donate toys for families in need
Source: Tri-Cities Dispatch: https://tricitiesdispatch.com/community-comes-together-to-donate-toys-for-families-in-need/
Port Moody Fire Rescue toy drive will help SHARE support over 2,000 children and youth this holiday season.
Reporter: Hanna Hett
Port Moody Fire Rescue organized its seventh annual toy drive this year, filling a 24-foot length trailer of donations for SHARE Family and Community Services, which distributes them to families in need.
They kicked off the toy drive on Nov. 30 at Cheer at the Pier and ran it for two weeks, collecting toys at the fire hall. On Monday, they hauled them to SHARE.
Mike Boechler, lieutenant of the Port Moody Fire Rescue, said it was “awesome” to drop off the toys. “They’re so happy to get it.”
“We’re just fortunate enough that we have the space to collect them and then donate them to SHARE. So we’re not really doing much of the work. The real people are in the community that’s so generous,” Boechler said.
It also gets the firefighters into the Christmas spirit, Boechler added.
Staff at SHARE counted the toys, and reported 50 extra-large bags, six small bicycles, and one rideable children’s electric car. The donations included high several quality items, including many for tweens and teens.
All donations go to SHARE’s Toy Bank, where families who are experiencing financial hardship with children 17 years or younger can register to collect toys for their children.
Claire MacLean, SHARE’s executive director, estimates they will serve more than 2,000 children and youth this year.
“This is really about making sure that no child has to go without during the holiday season, and that parents are able to give them something special that’ll really create lasting memories,” she said.
“It’s a really expensive time of year. There’s lots of extra costs that come with the holidays.”
Most in demand are toys for teens and tweens, the largest demographic they serve, MacLean said. Popular items include squishmallows, cordless headphones and speakers, and arts and crafts kits. SHARE has a full wish list on its website.
“Those kids are aware of the stresses that their families are facing,” said MacLean.”They’re aware that maybe they don’t have the same brand of clothing or type of running shoes that the kids sitting next to them in class do. And they’re also aware of the stress that their parents are under.”
MacLean said they also run a gift wrapping station at Coquitlam Centre to raise funds and accept toys. Local schools and businesses also collect them for SHARE.
The Toy Bank is running until Saturday, December 21.
About SHARE Family & Community Services
SHARE Family & Community Services is dedicated to connecting, engaging, and strengthening families and individuals in the Tri-Cities.
Media Contact:
Claire MacLean
Chief Executive Officer
SHARE Family & Community Services
604-540-9161 ext 133 (direct line) | 778-227-1906 (cell)
Claire.MacLean@sharesociety.ca
Photo: Port Moody Fire Rescue delivered the donations to SHARE on Monday. Image supplied