‘Toys for the North’ Collects Record-Breaking Donations from Canadian Toy Manufacturers

The following article is based on a press release issued by The Canadian Toy Association on December 16, 2022.

December 16, 2022 | “Toys for the North” — a national toy collection and distribution charity run in partnership between The Canadian Toy Association (CTA), logistics supplier Thomson Terminals, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) — has donated toys valued more than $470,000, a record-breaking amount in a single season for the initiative, to thousands of families in need living in Canada’s most remote regions. The donations collected grew 170% over last year and increased 840% since 2019.

Toys for the North is 100% volunteer run and collects and distributes products to families that often cannot access or afford toys during the holiday season, supporting Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, and Nunavut. Thanks to the volume of toys donated this year, the charity has expanded its reach to include communities in the Northwest Territories.

“It has been quite an amazing year for CTA’s Toys for the North campaign,” said Serge Micheli, Executive Director of The Canadian Toy Association. “With the generous donations made by the CTA’s toy manufacturer, distributor, and retail members, along with an online auction we ran for the first time, we exceeded all expectations and are pleased to deliver the toys to children in need this holiday season.”

The 2022 Toys for the North program has been made possible by generous donations from: Asmodee Canada, Crayola Canada, Do-Gree Fashions Ltd., FoxMind Canada Enterprises Ltd., FUJIFILM Canada Inc., Funrise Canada, Gray & Fick Ltd., Great Pretenders, Hasbro Canada, Jakks Pacific Canada, LEGO Canada Inc., Lion Rampant Imports, Lykit Ltd., Mastermind Toys, Mattel Canada, Malarkey Kids, MGA Entertainment, On the Right Track Inc., Playmobil Canada Inc., Ravensburger North America Inc., Spin Master Ltd., Suncoat Products Inc., TCG Toys, and ZURU Toys.

“I am blown away by the generosity of not only the toy industry but also by individuals who donate their time and resources to provide toys, handmade items, personalized hygiene packs, and snowsuits for children across the North whom they will never meet,” said Cpl. Angelique Dignard, RCMP’s Toys for the North coordinator. “This generosity and kindness is what fuels the spirit of Christmas. Thank you for caring and for making a difference in so many children’s lives. Please know that this program could not grow and reach so many hearts without your support.”

The Toys for the North Campaign has distributed over $1,500,000 worth of toys to children and families in need in Canada’s north since 2010.

Founded in 1932, the Canadian Toy Association (CTA) is a not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The CTA leads the growth and health of the Canadian toy community as the authority on toys and the benefits of play. The Toy Association sustains the CTA, which provides enhanced value for active member companies across North America.