Christmas Traditions Continue in Memory of Uncle Vinny

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Uncle Vinny Maan’s love for Christmas lives on in the toys, the lights and the decorations.

Two years from his sudden passing in British Columbia, the Maan family have picked up their Uncle Vinny’s tradition of gift giving, except now, those gifts are going to families in need. Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive, started by Sandy Mann in Ontario and Vinny’s sisters Pinder and Seema in BC, collects gifts in his honour for the CTV Toy Mountain and donated to The Salvation Army.

This year the goal is to collect 1,000 unwrapped toys for families in Ontario and British Columbia, but Sandy says the drive is on target to bring in a total of 1,500 toys across both provinces.

“Uncle Vinny was all about Christmas; setting up the tree, laughing and smiling with his loved ones, giving gifts, hosting parties, everything Christmas. The holiday season amplified his love for children and he was an amazing uncle,” Sandy says.

As an uncle to his nieces and nephews, Uncle Vinny would volunteer to coach their sports team, help them learn to ride a bike and, Sandy says, ensure they felt loved and cared for. Last year the Maans honoured Vinny by handing out care packages to individuals experiencing homelessness in Vancouver. This year, they decided to bring gifts to children through a partnership with CTV Toy Mountain and The Salvation Army.

“Uncle Vinny’s thing was extending that extra hand and building a friendship with children to spread love and kindness. The toy drive goes hand in hand with what now will be Uncle Vinny’s legacy,” Sandy says.

Twenty small businesses in Toronto and 32 businesses in Vancouver have offered up space as collection points for toys, as well as at Sandy’s home on Snowdrop Place in Brampton.

On Dec. 15, the last day of the campaign, donors can drop off toys in a drive through event at the house from 2-5pm. There will be Christmas carols, cocoa, and candy canes to help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Gifts will then be picked up by The Salvation Army in time to hand them out for Christmas.

Sandy says the family is establishing a foundation in Uncle Vinny’s name to continue his tradition of giving for years to come and to provide a Christmas for those who may not be able to afford gifts.

“We’re trying to show the world that you can turn sorrow into something magical and find peace,” Sandy says. “It’s a success because it’s been a healing journey for friends and family that were close to Uncle Vinny.”

Follow Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive on Instagram to find drop off points with the hashtag #MakingVinnyProud or direct message @UncleVinnysToyDrive to donate or to arrange curbside pickup.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]