Local Family Donates Hundreds of Christmas Toys in Memory of Late Uncle

SURREY, BC, Dec. 13, 2024 /CNW/ - The Maan family will be donating a truck full of toys to The Salvation Army to help families in need this Christmas season. Collected over the past month the toys were donated by members of the community at donation boxes left in local businesses and purchased through funds raised at events like their second annual Christmas Market.

The Salvation Army logo (CNW Group/The Salvation Army British Columbia Division)

Named after the late Vinny Maan, Uncle Vinny's Toy Drive allows the family to honour his legacy of taking care of others, especially during the holidays. Now in its fourth year, the Toy Drive has collected approximately $90,000 worth of toys since starting in 2021. Members of the family also volunteered at The Salvation Army Toy Shop this year where they helped families in need select toys off shelves to gift to their children.

"When we set out with this toy drive it was just to help us get through the last little bit of the year … his birthday is on November 29 and he passed on December 11," says Pinder, Vinny's sister and organizer of the toy drive. "Christmas was so big for him. The drive has helped us heal and cope with our grief."

We invite the media to join us. Photo-ops and interviews available.

Where: 17965 98 Ave. Surrey, BC
When: Monday, December 16, 2024 / 3 pm
Who:  The Salvation Army spokespeople, Maan family members

Donations collected from this year's Uncle Vinny Toy Drive will be made available at the Boundless Vancouver Christmas Toy Shop where families can walk through and choose the gifts they prefer according to their children's preferences.

About The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become one of the largest providers of social services in the country. Working in 400 communities across Canada and more than 130 countries around the world, we provide practical, compassionate support to meet basic human needs. By giving people hope, we transform lives of British Columbians today and every day. 

SalvationArmy.ca

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SOURCE The Salvation Army British Columbia Division