CTV Toy Mountain Opens the Door to Deeper Connections at Yorkwoods Community Church

As economic uncertainties continue to bring stress and anxiety to families of Toronto’s Jane and Finch community, the CTV Toy Mountain campaign helps The Salvation Army Yorkwoods Community Church provide relief but also extend further supports to the most vulnerable.

“Through Toy Mountain, we aim to lift the weight off parents’ shoulders during this season of giving. It’s a message to these families that they are cherished and remembered,” says Corps and Community Ministries Officer Captain Mark Young. “Toy Mountain is more than just a toy, it opens the doors to deeper connections in understanding the needs of families in the community as we’re here to support them year-round.”

In 2022, 1,800 children in the Yorkwoods community enjoyed the magic of Toy Mountain and had the joy of unwrapping presents on Christmas morning. This year, Captain Young expects Yorkwoods Community Church will register 2,100 children, due to the economic challenges many families face because of the high cost of living.

Among the grateful families is Monica Mendoza, a Salvation Army mission partner and congregant who volunteered in sorting and packing toys in 2015 and has registered to bring joy to her 11-year-old son through Toy Mountain.

“I’m very thankful to The Salvation Army for giving me somewhere to go to and a place to rely on that can shine a little light on our family. It’s nice to give every child a little extra when things are tough. People are struggling, so having a little extra under the tree brings happiness to their hearts,” Monica says.

Some of those deeper community connections have led to the development of a successful youth sports outreach program that teaches vital life lessons like teamwork and respect through soccer and basketball, while developing innovative partnerships with the Toronto Police Service 31 Division and local non-profit WeTogether.

Help The Salvation Army build a mountain of toys by visiting www.toymountain.ca for all toy drop off locations. Your donation of a new, unwrapped toy will help spread joy this holiday season.