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The Victor Ghirra Toy Drive, which annually honours a late Richmondite whose generosity inspired others, collected more than 2,500 toys this year.

Photo by Take Off Photography

This holiday season is a little brighter for 18 good causes that are benefitting from community members’ donations to this year’s Victor Ghirra Toy Drive.

Photo by Take Off Photography

Toy drive honouring late Richmondite yields over 2,500 toys

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 11:44 PST, Tue December 13, 2022

Last Updated: 3:00 PST, Wed December 14, 2022

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Santa’s helpers from communities across the Lower Mainland merrily made their way to the grand toy count in Richmond on Saturday (Dec. 10) for the 16th annual Victor Ghirra Toy Drive.

With families in the province still challenged by COVID and increasing inflation, there is an even greater need

for toys over the holidays. More than 100 people attended the grand toy count event to drop off toys and donations.

The toy drive is donating toys to a record 18 good causes this year, aiming to bring joy to children and families in need. With the help of the Benevolent Brotherhood Society, the Ghirra family, The Co-operators Insurance agencies, Riverside Banquet Halls, Johnston Meier Insurance, Kids Play team, and Vancity Credit Union, over 2,500 toys were collected. The toy drive also welcomed a new donor this year: Cedar Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic in Burnaby.

This year’s indoor event welcomed attendees with a festive holiday theme. Volunteers greeted guests as they dropped off toys, with many staying to enjoy coffee and treats as well as posing for photos in the winter wonderland-themed booth.

In memory of late Richmondite Victor Ghirra, the toy drive is devoted to making holidays brighter for hundreds of children. Victor was involved in many charitable initiatives, but was particularly touched by the BC Children’s Hospital. Each Christmas for over a dozen years, he bought thousands of dollars worth of toys and donated them to the hospital anonymously, instructing staff only that they be given to the kids and not accepting any credit.

“Nobody knew—Victor did this out of the kindness of his heart. He would be very happy to know what we are doing. The toy drive means a lot to me and my family to keep his giving spirit alive,” said Micheal Ghirra, Victor’s younger brother.

Moya Matick, agency office manager with The Co-operators, said: “When you reflect on the man whose memory the toy drive honours and learn just how kind he had been in life, it is not too difficult to understand how that memory energizes and motivates us to continue his legacy. Each year, as word of the toy drive spreads, the success grows. This year Co-operators Insurance staff in the Lower Mainland contributed $900 in cash donations and over 50 new toys to help. It is heartwarming to know that our efforts contribute to preserving a spirit of giving and care to those kids who need it most.”

Once again, the Richmond Sunrise Rotary group supported the toy drive with a donation of $3,500 to purchase toys. During a recent group meeting, members got together and bought and donated toys they thought would be fun to play with.

“Victor’s toy drive has become a Richmond tradition; it’s a wonderful way to give back to families who need it most during the holidays,” said Richmond Sunrise Rotary member Kal Mahal. “Our members look forward to the toy drive and enjoy helping.”

Jerry Gamble of Johnston Meier Insurance also worked with Victor, and the agency stepped up again this year to help.

“I’m proud to say that for the third year, we contributed $500 in toys to Victor’s toy drive,” said Gamble. “I so enjoyed working with Victor; he was such a kind person to be around, and he had a way with people that made you want to do better. I feel this toy drive is a great way to pay tribute to him.”

The charities helped by the toy drive this year include:

• BC Children’s Hospital

• Canuck Place

• Key Solutions

• Kids Play

• Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau

• Nightshift Ministries – Care Centre

• North Shore Family Services – Christmas Bureau

• Options BC

• Ray-Cam Community Centre

• Recovery Kidz

• Richmond Christmas Fund

• Richmond Food Bank

• Second Stage Women’s Centre

• Surrey Christmas Bureau

• Team Keian

Toys were also donated to two local schools with families in need, as well as families on the Downtown Eastside.

Over the last 16 years, more than 47,650 toys have been collected and distributed in memory of Victor.

“This year the need was greater than ever—we heard that families needed more help, and we were happy to step up. This year there will be hundreds of children who will receive a toy during the holidays thanks to Victor’s legacy. This toy drive continues to grow thanks to all our partners and generous community donors of the past 16 years,” said Harvey Kooner of the Benevolent Brotherhood Society, the toy drive’s founder.

For more information on how to get involved and make a difference with next year’s toy drive, contact Kooner at 604-671-4180 or harveykooner1@gmail.com.