Toys collected for those in need.
Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre and Victoria’s Royal Theatre once again hosted the annual Naden Band Christmas Concert. The Concerts were hosted on December 6th in Vancouver and December 10th, 11th and 12th in Victoria, all in the name of supporting The Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Drive.
Attendance at all shows was excellent, and mountains of toys were kindly donated. The generosity from the community was evident in the quality of toys donated. As a result of the support and generosity shown, thousands of children had a brighter Christmas morning.
In Victoria, UsedVictoria’s Community Angel program put The Salvation Army in contact with Done Right Moving to help transport the toys from the Royal Theatre to the Stan Hagen Centre for families on each of the three evenings.
“It was great to be able to help, I can’t believe how many toys were donated – it was truly amazing!” said Carly Russell-Huntly, Community Angel program coordinator.
All the toys donated at the Victoria concerts were used to stock the toys shop at The Stan Hagen Centre for Families. This in-house store provides an opportunity for parents to shop for their children.
“We speak a lot about dignity and this is one example where we can provide dignity to parents, they come to our centre and are met with a volunteer who helps them shop. When they leave, they have some gifts they know their children will love because they chose them specifically,” explains Pat Humble, Executive Director for The Stan Hagen Centre for Families. “The toy shop is only possible because of the generosity of the community.”
In Vancouver, toys donated went directly to The Salvation Army Vancouver Community and Family Services which supports families throughout the year and in particular, around the holidays.
On behalf of The Salvation Army, Thank You to everyone who attended the concerts and made a toy donation, YOU helped make Christmas brighter for all those in need.
A special thanks to Lt(N) Clark, the Naden Band, Stephanie Greaves, Ken Lavigne, Astrid Braunschmidt, Bruce Williams, Mike Killeen and all our sponsors.
