Richmond's 16th annual Victor Ghirra toy drive saw more than 100 people coming out to donate toys to help benefit various organizations this year.
More than 2,500 toys were collected at the Riverside Palace Hall on Dec. 3.
The toys are being donated to 18 organizations to help "bring some joy to children and families" in need this holiday season.
The toy drive is held every year in memory of Ghirra, who was known as the "Secret Santa," for anonymously dropping off toys at BC Children's Hospital.
“Nobody knew, Victor(Ghirra) did this out of the kindness of his heart," said Michael Ghirra, Victor's younger brother.
"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.”
The organizer of the toy drive, Harvey Kooner, said the need is greater than ever this year.
"This year there will be hundreds of children who will receive a toy during the holidays thanks to (Ghirra's) legacy," said Kooner.
"This toy drive continues to grow thanks to all our partners and generous community donors of the past 16 years.”
Organizations that will be getting the toy donations include:
- BC Children’s Hospital
- Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau
- Key Solutions
- Richmond Christmas Fund
- Options BC
- Canuck Place
- Nightshift Ministries – Care Centre
- North Shore Family Services – Christmas Bureau
- Second Stage Women’s Centre
- Ray-Cam Community Centre
- Surrey Christmas Bureau, Kids Play
- Richmond Food Bank
- Two local schools with families in need
- Recovery Kidz
- Team Keian
- Families on the Downtown Eastside.
This year's event was held in collaboration with the Benevolent Brotherhood Society (BBS), the Ghirra family, the Co-operators Insurance agencies, Riverside Banquet Halls, Johnston Meier Insurance, Kids Play team and Vancity Credit Union.
