The Burlington Dads’ fourth annual Christmas Toy Drive is well underway, but you can still participate right up until Dec. 10, by donating new, unwrapped gifts, gift cards, or through monetary donations. All of the toys and gifts will support the Salvation Army of Burlington.
Donations of unwrapped toys and/or gift cards can be dropped off at a number of locations across Burlington, including any McDonald’s restaurant in Burlington, or Oakville Sight and Sound. On Dec. 10, after the donation period has closed, the Burlington Dads make a big trip out to the Toys R Us on Appleby Line for a big shopping spree, turning those monetary donations into more gifts for kids of all ages. Toys R Us does their part by offering a discount to the Dads.
Individuals or local businesses can choose to make monetary donations, online at the Burlington Dads website (click here) or by e-transfer to info@burlingtondads.com. Credit card donation amounts are $10, $25, $50 or $100. Sponsorship packages are available as well; one of the benefits to sponsors who donate over $1000 is option of bringing along their own family to the Toys R Us shopping spree; kids are then encouraged to help choose items.
Families who need support this year in getting their children Christmas gifts will then be able to shop the donations at the Salvation Army Burlington Community Church on Dec. 11, 12, and 13. Families do not have to be members of the church, but do have to pre-register. There are two more days for the necessary in-person registration, which takes place at the church (2090 Prospect St.): Monday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Major Karen Puddicombe, who is one of the church’s pastors as well as the executive director of their family services (the church and family services are under the umbrella of the Salvation Army’s Burlington ministries, but have separate buildings), says that once people qualify post-registration, they are given dates to pick up food from family services (at 5040 Mainway, Unit 9), and to pick up toys from the church. Each family will get their own personal shopper to take them through the church to choose eight to 10 gifts and stocking stuffers for their children. For teens, there is a gift card and a gift.
Puddicombe says that gift cards for teens are still “really needed” right now.
She also emphasizes how much Burlington’s Salvation Army appreciates the Burlington Dads and Burlington residents who donate directly to the Salvation Army: “We value the generosity of Burlington.”
Burlington Dads’ Jamie Kozub notes that toys previously went to a Toronto Salvation Army church to be distributed, but since COVID, the decision was made to keep the donations in Burlington — so any gift donations will be helping a local family.
Last year, the Burlington Dads collected 1380 toys for local families in need, and raised $21,145. That money was used to load up 39 shopping carts with toys. Each of the 19 families of sponsors who helped shop that day chose approximately $1000 worth of gifts — Kozub says that it’s a great opportunity for kids to get in that mindset of helping others.
This year, it is the 10th anniversary of Burlington Dads, so they’re making a big push for donations this year. Kozub has also observed a drop in donated toys — his house is one of the drop-off points. Last year, Kozub says, there were 300 to 400 toys dropped off at his house at this point in the month-long drive; this year, there are only about 100 so far. It is clear that more families are feeling financially strained, “so it’s nice that companies are really stepping up this year,” Kozub notes.
So far, the donations were sitting at around $22,400, but there’s still time for businesses to become title or community sponsors ($5000 and $1000 donations, respectively), and then bring along their families to the big shopping day.
The Burlington Dads members also bring their own kids to pick out gifts. Kozub explains that most of the donated gifts are for younger children, so it’s great when the dads bring their teenagers to pick out gifts for older kids. The Dads also use some of the donations to purchase gift cards from various stores, as another way of filling that gift gap for older kids and teens.
Kozub’s own children — Jakob, 13 years old; Kaiden, 10 years old; and Nashten, 4 years old — participate in choosing gifts, with the result, he says, that they’re already becoming community-minded. At Christmases and birthdays, Kozub explains, “They don’t really ask for much — they would rather donate whatever they can to help other families.”
Kozub also gives much credit to the Dads’ spouses: “We could not do this without the support of our wives and spouses. They get behind everything the Dads group does.”
The toy drive is not the only community work the Burlington Dads take on. Kozub himself became involved four years ago, back when Burlington Dads was “a dad’s Facebook group.” The group hit 2000 members, and Kozub began suggesting the group start working to give back to the community in a bigger way. That first year, they raised between $50,000 and $60,000, because that great foundation of dads, Kozub remembers.
Kozub’s involvement in community work began back in high school, though in his professional life, he is an entrepreneur. He formerly opened and ran five trampoline parks, and now owns Oakville Sight and Sound and Ontario Furnished Rentals. But it was his experience as president of his high school’s Key Club, the youth arm of Kiwanis, fundraising for many different charities, that gave him the community-service mindset.
This has served Burlington well, as this year, Kozub and the Burlington Dads have raised about $125,000, all of which goes to local charities. In November, the Burlington Dads dropped off big cheques to Carpenter Hospice, the Burlington Food Bank, and Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services, from funds raised at their recent golf tournament.
To contribute to Burlington Dads’ Christmas Toy Drive, you can drop off new, unwrapped toys and/or gift cards at Kozub’s house (2312 Ridgeview Court); Bradburn Group (1439 Legion Rd., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.); 905 Tire (1400 Grahams Lane #2, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.); the home of Michael Jones (477 Holtby Ave.); the home of Shaun Spence (2587 Cavendish Dr.); or the home of Jason Brown (2320 Fleet Path), all in Burlington; any Burlington McDonald’s; or Oakville Sight and Sound, at 481 North Service Rd. W., Unit 17, from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Oakville. Click here to donate online.
Update notice: This article has been updated to include details on the registration process for families who need to access Salvation Army services.
