The East Delta Hall looked more like Santa’s workshop last week judging by the huge amount of toys it contained.
Deltassist’s annual Toy Depot took place over the course of three days and helped make Christmas brighter for hundreds of local kids from low-income homes.
“When it comes to Christmas, the community is the heart of this, the volunteers are the heart of this,” says Deltassist manager of operation and projects Lorraine Yates.
She estimates approximately 900 children received toys from this year’s program.
The Toy Depot would look much different without volunteers, she says, noting they help make it so clients feel like they’re coming in to a warm and inviting environment.
Volunteers help transport toys to the East Delta Hall, work on the setup and give assistance to clients selecting gifts.
Yates estimates volunteers put in over 1,000 hours to help Deltassist’s Christmas programs.
Local firefighters, including Delta Firefighters Charitable Society director Ben Lewis, were at the East Delta Hall helping during the setup day for the Toy Depot.
“It’s the time of the year where people want to be giving. Absolutely we’re always on board in helping facilitate that,” he says, noting the society contributed over $10,000 generated from a North Delta Christmas lights event to Deltassist’s Christmas programs this year.
“It’s a good time of year to remind yourself that people need help year-round.”
The toys at the Toy Depot come from around the community, including the Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall’s Stockings for Kids program.
