Since she was just eight Guelph's Emma Berglund has felt the need to give during the holiday season.
Emma’s Toy Drive, now in it’s 21st year, collects toys and gifts annually to give to the Women In Crisis Shelters of Guelph-Wellington County.
“Honestly, I can’t take the credit for all of it. It’s the community that comes together year after year. Everyone is so generous. It shocks us to see how much businesses want to contribute and how generous the community is. Every year, it still blows my mind,” Berglund said.
“Even during the pandemic, when we thought it would be a slow year, it was amazing to receive so many donations, and that all comes down to the Guelph community.”
Emma’s Toy Drive accepts new, unwrapped gifts, gift cards as well as monetary donations.
This year’s drive runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 18. Donations can be made directly online at the link here , and gifts can be dropped off at participating locations in the community.
This year’s focus is on teens and pre-teens.
“People bring in lots of toys for little ones,” Berglund said.
“But when it comes to teens, gifts for this age group is what the Women in Crisis Centre is also in need of right now. Often teens are left out and we have an influx of gifts for small children. I think teens really need that autonomy, so that is why we want to focus on increasing donations for them.”
For any local businesses interested in becoming a drop-off spot, they can contact Emma's Toy Drive.
As an eight-year-old, Berglund remembers how she felt after hearing that some kids will not be receiving Christmas gifts.
“That just made me feel very sad. So, I went out with bunch of my friends, and we went carolling. We raised enough for four or five gifts and I donated them to a toy drive at Stone Road Mall,” she said.
“I remember being very adamant with my parents saying we have to do this. And they thought, 'oh, she’ll grow out of this.' The next year came around, and I said, 'it’s time, we have to do something again.' And now, 21 years later, I am about to turn 29, and I'm still doing this.”
In it's first year, Emma's Toy Drive received 1,300 toys. To-date, over 50,000 new toys and gifts have been donated to the Women in Crisis Shelters of Guelph and Wellington County.
“We are still looking for raffle donations, so if there is a business out there that would like to contribute, they can reach out to us,” Berglund said.
“We are so thankful to all the amazing companies and individuals who support this worthy cause.”
Donations are accepted at a variety of locations until Dec. 18.
When not making toy drive preparations, Berglund works in social media marketing and influencer marketing for the children’s popular TV show, Paw Patrol.
"So, yes again, I'm working with kids. This wasn’t the plan, but here I am. And I just love my job," Berglund said.
"It’s a nice way to wrap it all up together, by surprising kids somehow."
On Nov. 26, the second annual winter holiday event in support of Emma’s Toy Drive will take place the RE/MAX office at 238 Speedvale Ave., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be photos with Santa, free hot chocolate and cookies, a colouring contest, holiday balloons and treat bags.
There will be a raffle with prizes with all donations and proceeds going to Emma's Toy Drive in support of Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis.
Berglund says she believes anyone can make a difference in a child's life.
“On my 22nd birthday, I was able to visit the Women in Crisis Centre warehouse where we bring donations, and I just teared up. It was so beautiful to see the impact and to see families have some joy in their lives,” Berglund said.
“It’s the best feeling. The community just amazes us. And that’s why we do it, year after year. Helping people has just always been something that I love to do. The community seems to do it too, and so we'll just keep on giving.”
