Boundless Vancouver Toy Shop Brings Joy to Families at Christmas
The Boundless Vancouver Toy Shop, an inspiring program by The Salvation Army, has once again brought significant relief and joy to families facing hardships during the holiday season.
Neisy Castillo, Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator at Boundless Vancouver, shared that this year they served around 800 families.
One of the families served was Andrea’s. A proud mother of six young children, all under the age of 11, Andrea was among those who experienced the joy and relief this program provides.
Andrea explains how she approached The Salvation Army, “It all started a few years ago … I was struggling, and things were very expensive.” But she wasn’t alone.
“A friend reached out to me and let me know that The Salvation Army had programs for clothing, food hampers and community programs, so I connected with the Toy Shop. I have two boys and it was very helpful, especially for someone like me who was struggling,” explained Andrea.
Volunteering Brings New Purpose
Andrea took the opportunity to get involved in the Toy Shop and became a volunteer for the program whenever she had the time.
“I believe this is my third or fourth year volunteering at the Toy Shop. Here I find a lot of joy being able to give back. I received help and I can also give back with my time,” Andrea shared. “Everyone can volunteer in places where you find hope, food, and when you are struggling The Salvation Army is there for you”.
Andrea’s heartfelt story is one of many that highlight the impact of Boundless Vancouver’s Toy Shop—a place where generosity and compassion come together to spread holiday cheer.
Maichaelyn was struggling to find child care, so she decided that she would stay at home with her three kids, because it was too expensive to hire a licensed babysitter. Unable to work, she decided to seek out The Salvation Army through a friend from church.
“He told me that here at The Salvation Army they had food programs and that this would be great to help a mother of three kids, but when I got here I saw much more than food. I found out that there was a Toy Shop, some community programs and I decided to apply for the programs and this is my third year coming to the Toy Shop and it’s like a dream.”
How the Toy Shop Works
Neisy details that more than just Christmas gifts, the Toy Shop also brings dignity to parents and explained how it operates:
“We want parents to feel empowered and dignified during the gift-giving process. Families are invited to come and select toys for their children in a store-like setting, free of charge. This allows them to play an active role in creating special holiday moments for their kids.”
The program relies heavily on the kindness and dedication of volunteers and donors. This year, one of the standout contributors was the fourth annual Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive, that have continued to play an important role in making the Toy Shop a success.
Click here to read more about how Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive continues to give back to the community.
Join the Movement: Make a Difference
The Boundless Toy Shop’s success is only possible because of the incredible support from volunteers and donors.
“Every little bit helps to make a big difference in someone’s life,” Neisy emphasized. “When we come together as a community, we create hope and joy that last far beyond the holiday season.”
This Christmas season, you can be part of the magic. Visit salvationarmyvancouver.com to learn more, make a donation and see how you can get involved.
