SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
Local Initiatives and Charitable Causes
As a local parent-run initiative with no start up funds to pay for advertising or expensive web design services, we understand how difficult it can be to get things off the ground on your own. It is often a combination of hard work and sheer luck (which we definitely had), so we would like to support others in the Lower Mainland with similar ideas and/or fundraising needs!
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SEAN'S GIFT OF SHARING
Annual Community Toy Drive for BC Children's Hospital Oncology Unit
'Sean's Gift of Sharing' was started several years ago by a local mom, Tina Richardson. In memory of her son Sean, she collects and donates brand new toys to the BCCH oncology unit each year on his birthday. Sean passed away from leukemia at the age of seven - this year would have been his 12th birthday. Due to COVID-19, we took the toy drive virtual this year and, in addition to numerous toy donations, we managed to raise an additional $3,115 to go towards making more purchases. This fundraiser is near and dear to our hearts as Tina is a good friend of ours. While we didn't quite reach last year's record of 1,634 brand new toys, we were still able to donate 1,232 despite the barriers COVID posed to this campaign! More information about Sean's story is located further down this page.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME
“Sean’s last birthday with us was his 7th birthday (September 24th, 2015). As he was deemed terminal at the time and too ill to go home, we received special permission to hold a birthday bash for him just outside of the Oncology Ward. It was quite a party!! Over 200 people from as far as Chilliwack, Vernon and Kamloops attended. Naturally, it was a Lego themed party complete with a Lego building center in the middle of the room, a sundae and candy bar, and two custom Lego birthday cakes! People even donated amazing loot bags, balloons, and Lego themed decorations. Towards the end of the party, Sean needed to back to his room to rest. When he woke up, he was overwhelmed by the number of gifts he had received. He asked if he could share his birthday gifts with the other oncology patients on the two oncology floors and I happily agreed. Dressed in his hospital gown and slippers, I lifted him into his wheelchair and pushed him around the wards so he could drop off a gift and a bag of candies for each patient. Sean was absolutely thrilled to be able to share his gifts and spread joy to these fellow oncology patients. That is how I came up with the name ‘Sean’s Gift of Sharing’.”
- Tina (Sean's Mom)
SEAN'S GIFT OF SHARING 2019:
TOY & GIFT CARD DONATION SUBMISSION FORM
The donation form is now closed - thank you for your support! Please check back in Summer 2021 for details on the next toy drive!
PAST MEDIA COVERAGE
Sean's story received widespread media coverage as his mom was an incredible advocate who gave a lot to the community by raising awareness and supporting fundraising campaigns for organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society. It is now our turn to help give back to her.
"AFTER DREAM TRIP TO LEGOLAND, B.C. BOY WITH TERMINAL CANCER PASSES AWAY." (GLOBAL NEWS)
CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY:
SEAN'S STORY
As part of a Canadian Cancer Society campaign, Tina shared their story with the world with the hope that it would help bring in more money to fund pediatric cancer research.
MOST POPULAR ITEMS REQUESTED BY KIDS:
Please note: all toys MUST BE BRAND NEW, UNOPENED AND UNWRAPPED due to strict infection control protocols – anything we receive that appears to be second hand and/or is a restricted item will be donated to a local shelter or neighborhood house when it is safe to do so
Lego
Duplo
Playmobil
Action figures
Disney Princesses
Hot Wheels
Fortnight
Arts & Crafts sets
PlayDoh
Shopkins
Star Wars themed items
Hasbro Games
Crayola sets
Hatchimals
Harry Potter items
Klutz sets
Fisher Price
Baby Einstein
Imaginarium toys
Wooden building blocks
Popular Gift Card Donations
Locally owned toy stores and/or shops for youth (ie. cosmetic shops, book stores, and craft stores) close to BC Children’s Hospital or have online ordering/delivery services within Vancouver
Starbucks (there is one in the hospital)
Amazon
Indigo/Chapters
Michael’s (craft store)
Toys R’ Us
Sephora (this is well received by youth patients, particularly those who have lost their hair due to chemo)
Restricted Items:
Plush toys (‘stuffed animals’)
Books or magazines
VANCOUVER VIRTUAL FAMILIES WELCOMES YOU
Hope Is Where the Heart Is
