Toy Drive 2025 in Review
Hello from Family and Youth Support Services — Toy Drive 2025 Review!
Happy New Year! While the Christmas lights are still shining along First Avenue, we wanted to share a joyful update on this year’s Toy Drive.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many incredible sponsors, community members, service providers, organizations, and businesses who continue to make this annual fundraiser such a success. Most importantly, we wish to acknowledge our clients — the families, parents and caregivers, children, and youth in Ladysmith — who were the grateful recipients of this support and are so deserving of the care and compassion that keeps our community a little lighter and a lot brighter.
Something this magical is only possible through collective generosity, trust, and strong relationships. We are incredibly proud of the love, care, and support that went into our 4th Annual Toy Drive.
This year, our team supported:
· 25 fully sponsored families, representing 40 children and teens, who received personalized wish-list gifts
· An additional 81 children and youth (ages 0–18) from 33 families through Santa’s Workshop, our free holiday store
In donations and financial support, we received:
· $6,600 in gift cards
· $2,500 in cheque donations
· $400 in cash donations
That’s approximately $9,500 in monetary support, not including the hundreds of brand-new toys donated. We had 35 registered sponsors, along with many generous anonymous contributors. Reflecting on this outpouring of kindness is truly breathtaking, emotional, and uplifting.
While many sponsors prefer to remain anonymous, we would like to offer special recognition to the following contributors:
Ladysmith Fire Rescue
We are deeply thankful for Ladysmith Fire Rescue’s ongoing annual contributions of gift cards raised through their Christmas Party. This support often arrives at a critical time and plays a major role in making Santa’s Workshop possible. Their dedication to community safety and care, and their presence at countless local events, truly makes them a pillar of our town.
Ladysmith Primary School — Cheryl Campbell Christmas Cheer Drive
It is with a mix of honor, grief, and joy that we recognize Ladysmith Primary School’s contribution in memory of the beloved Cheryl Campbell. Cheryl was a bright light in our community — a warm, loving, and dedicated teacher who touched countless lives. She championed the Toy Drive by bringing staff together to sponsor families. Following her recent passing, Ashley Broth stepped forward to continue Cheryl’s legacy of giving. This gesture means so much, and we know how excited Cheryl was to participate again this year.
Little Valley Restorations
For the second year in a row, this family-owned business generously supported the Toy Drive with a cheque donation. Thank you to John, Sheena, and Travis for your continued commitment to helping families with the greatest levels of need in our community.
Ladysmith District Credit Union (LDCU)
Each year, LDCU fully sponsors several families by purchasing items directly from clients’ wish lists. Their team goes above and beyond to personalize gifts, especially for larger “Santa-Sized” families. LDCU’s ongoing support of the Ladysmith Resources Centre and the broader community is deeply appreciated.
Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA)
Once again, Dawn Charity coordinated Toy Drive fundraising through VICA. With incredible dedication, she gathered toys, funds, and gift cards on behalf of the VICA team and personally delivered them to the Ladysmith Resources Centre. Dawn’s commitment and heart for the community make a tremendous difference, and VICA’s support continues to be thoughtful, reliable, and impactful.
Island Health — Community Health Services Team
Healthcare extends far beyond hospital walls. The compassionate professionals at our local Ladysmith Urgent Care are true heroes. As returning sponsors year after year, they continue to support families in meaningful and varied ways. Thank you for everything you do for our community.