Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive Returns for Fifth Year  

Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive is returning for a fifth year to help support The Salvation Army and the Boundless Vancouver Toy Shop. Started in 2021 in memory of beloved family member Vinny Maan, the toy drive was created by his family to honour his festive spirit and love of the holidays. Since then, they have collected over 6,500 toys valued at more than $122,000 in his name, all of which has gone directly to families that would otherwise not be able to afford gifts under the Christmas tree.  

Toys are being collected from November 12 to December 10, 2025, at over 40 local businesses such as banks, credit unions, autobody shops, and physio clinics in cities throughout the Lower Mainland including Surrey, Delta, Langley, Vancouver, Richmond and Abbotsford.  

The family lost “Uncle” Vinny on December 11, 2019 and struggled to make it through the Christmas season that he often played a large part in. “Vinny was very caring, very generous … and he loved children. He was such a kid at heart,” shared Pinder Saran, Vinny’s sister and organizer of the toy drive. “We thought what better way to honour him than a toy drive.”  

In 2020 they put together hampers to give out to people experiencing homelessness, but the next year decided they wanted to do something that was more closely tied to Vinny’s favourite season. Initial goals were set for 100 – 200 toys but the family was overcome with support from the community as a total of 1,683 toys were collected.  

“It’s given us purpose. It’s helped us turn our grief into some hope and some positivity for children who otherwise would not have been celebrating.”  

The first year after losing Vinny his parents weren’t even able to put up a Christmas tree. Now, the whole family gathers around the living room every year setting up a display of all the toys that were collected, carefully organized, surrounding a beautifully decorated tree that is topped with a shining star that Vinny would always ensure he placed every year.  

To mark their fifth year, they are hosting the first-ever Uncle Vinny’s Memorial Basketball Tournament, a three-on-three style tournament hosted at Fraser Heights Secondary School on Saturday, November 29, Vinny’s birthday. “Vinny was always into sports … he played basketball well into his adulthood,” shared Pinder. “He volunteered as a coach for a youth basketball team through the YMCA.” The event is open to all, and spectators can attend by either bringing $5 cash or a toy donation. Door prizes will also be available for people to win.  

Since the beginning the Maan family chose Boundless Vancouver as the benefactor of the toy drive. “The Salvation Army has always been our go-to, but the deciding factor was the Toy Shop,” explained Pinder. “What set them apart was the fact that parents or the family come in and collect the toys they want for their children.”  

The toy drive has also expanded this year with new fundraisers starting in Kelowna and Penticton supporting the local Salvation Army locations in those communities. Family in Calgary, Alberta have also launched a toy drive, and the charity has continued to grow in the Greater Toronto Area.  

Details about the toy drive and basketball tournament, including a list of drop-off locations and how to donate online, are available on Instagram @unclevinnystoydrive and on Facebook: Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive. Those that wish to learn how they can support The Salvation Army’s Toy Shop can visit salvationarmyvancouver.com