momstown Hamilton Christmas Toy Drive

I have a very special place in my heart for Toy Drives. I have spoken to some folks who don't see the practicality when there are more basic needs like food and clothes that need to be met. But for those that can’t afford to provide their children with gifts at Christmas a toy drive provides something that food, clothes and shelter just can't match - that human need for joy and connection – knowing that someone understands that, though I might be in a tough spot I still want to see my children clap their hands and laugh with wonder and happiness.

I have been there. A mama who loves Christmas but unfortunately can’t participate this year. Thanking God that my kids are really still too young to understand that they’re actually missing anything. Cringing though when every adult they meet asks them what they want for Christmas or what is Santa going to bring them... knowing all along that the request will go unanswered.

But I have also known the joy of being supported by a community. To have people come alongside and say we love you and we want to help is one of the most humbling and uplifting moments for anyone to experience. The year that I couldn’t provide Christmas, it was provided for us by a community of Santas. I felt so privileged to be able to participate in a holiday that we otherwise wouldn't have had.

So now I love Christmas toy drives. Knowing that a Mom and Dad out there is going to feel some incredible relief knowing that a tiny bit of joy will be given to their child.

This year momstown had a children’s Christmas party at which each child received a gift. Our gift exchanges always include books in support of one of our mandates to promote children’s literacy. Each parent purchased a new book and wrapped it so their child could take home a gift from under the tree. In addition, they also brought a new unwrapped book to be donated to a local children’s charity. We had a sack full of books!!

I brought the sack of books to my favourite children’s charity, City Kidz. A few weeks before, me and some other momstown mamas attended their annual Dream Big Fundraiser where we learned about all the special ways City Kidz reaches out to inner city kids in Hamilton. It was pretty amazing when I dropped off the books to hear some more of their great story.

Each week these big red buses drive around the city and pick up over 2000 kids and bring them back to “The Play House” for a time of drama, laughter, love and support.

Each bus load of kids is designated a team of caring individuals to look out for them. These teams also reach out to these kids during the week, just a knock on the door, a quick hello, to let each of them know they are cared about. So when it comes to giving these kids presents from the toy drive the team leaders know each of them personally. They go through all of the donations and select gifts that they know would be loved and appreciated by each individual child. I think that’s a pretty special thing, to get a gift is great but knowing that it was selected with just you in mind is awesome.

So I got the privilege to go into the City Kidz “toy store” and see what goes on back there. All of the donations are sorted by age and sex. Every year there tends to be a shortage of gifts for kids aged 10-14 (keep that in mind next year!). They also share their donations with other community drives like the YMCA and Mission Services, to name a few. What doesn’t get distributed at Christmas is saved and given out throughout the year as each City Kidz child gets a special gift on their birthday.

Thanks momstown mamas for your donations and helping to shine a bright Christmas light into the lives of some children in need this year. You can read about how another momstown community is supporting charity in their community here: momstown Burlington

If you would like to surround yourself with an uplifting supportive community of fellow moms please check out momstown today.