Mithu Kuna 
Baby Doppler is excited to announce the launch of “Give a Toy. Give them Joy,” a local toy drive that will run from December 3rd until December 11th.
The fundraising initiative will provide holiday gifts to families in need in the City of Vaughan. On Dec. 11th, the toys and 100% of the online funds collected will be donated in the form of toys and gift cards to the City of Vaughan Toy Drive in support of CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish.
Baby Doppler will also donate an additional $10,000 in toys and gift cards to support the drive. The efforts kickstart “Baby Doppler Care” initiatives that will run throughout 2021.
As more families are struggling to provide for their children this year because of COVID-19, Dagamma Group & Baby Doppler is proud to answer the call.
“I know this year has been tough on everybody and I feel that this is the best time to give,” says Mithu Kuna, CEO.
“The most important thing is to give. I encourage everyone to do that this year!”
How to Participate: 3 Ways
Until December 11th, you have 3 ways to help give children a happy holiday.
#1 Donate Toys
People are invited to drop off an unwrapped, new toy Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm at Dagamma Head Quarters:
30 Whitmore Rd.,
2nd floor,
Woodbridge, ON.,
L4L 7Z4
A non-contact drop off will allow you to safely and easily leave toys. Please go through the 2 glass doors and into the blue door on the left and up the stairs to enter Dagamma/Baby Doppler office. Please drop off your donation and sign your contact information at the front desk. We accept toys for children, from newborns to 18 years of age.
Although all gifts are generous, we kindly ask that you don’t forget about babies, tweens and teens! Toy drives often fall short on gifts for these groups and we want every child to feel seen over the holidays. Another option is to leave a financial contribution (more on this below) so age-appropriate toys can be selected. If you are unsure what to drop off, we’ve provided toy ideas by age group below.
#2 Make a Contribution
If you’re not in the local area to physically drop off a toy, you can help by donating money online. Simply visit BabyDoppler.com and enter your donation amount. Remember that even small donations can add up to a meaningful holiday for a child.
#3 Share This Page
If you aren’t in the position to donate a toy or funds, you can still help! Please share this page on social media to encourage others to donate. Any effort you take brings a child closer to a joyful holiday.
What Happens After My Donation?
On December 11th, Baby Doppler will transport the donated toys and funds to the Vellore Village Community Centre Toy Drive. Those donations are then collected as part of a larger toy drive. When donations reach the warehouse, they’re inspected, sorted and packaged by age. To distribute the toys, staff use the Salvation Army Community and Family Services Centers, which sign up families in the months leading up to the holidays.
5 Reasons to Donate Holiday 2020
Every holiday season, families struggle to provide their children with gifts. This year in particular is a challenging one for many. Please consider these reasons for donating.
#1 COVID-19 Family Financial Struggles
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant job losses, pay cuts, reduced hours and financial hardship for many parents. For that reason, families will lean on toy drives even more this year.
Canadians are expected to spend 18% less on holidays in 2020, according to Deloitte Canada’s annual survey. In fact, the Salvation Army, which distributes toys, says that the number of people needing support has increased 5 times this year.
“It is a worrying and unprecedented jump not seen since the Second World War by the organization,” a press release said.
These financial changes are disproportionately impacting low-income families and immigrants. According to a Vanier Institute study, 56% of low-income families report a lost income and 7 in 10 recent immigrants have had a reduced income since the start of COVID-19. Sadly, 27% of adults with children under 18 say the pandemic has affected their ability to pay rent or their mortgage.
#2 Play is Essential for Development
As much as we know the holidays “aren’t about gifts,” we also know that play is essential for children’s development. Even simple gifts like dolls, books and arts and crafts help. Research shows these toys allow children to use their imagination, dexterity, strength and physical and cognitive skills. Play is how children learn to interact with the world around them, setting the stage for their older years.
Teens and tweens need play too. Along with contributing to happiness and reducing depression, it can help them develop the skills they’ll need for adulthood. For example, toys can help inspire creative expression, problem solving, perseverance and independence.
#3 Make a Child Feel Seen
Our childhood holiday memories may consist of gathering family to open gifts and rejoicing at the perfectly-selected toy. But the holidays are not the same for every child. Some may be in a foster home, struggling to feel comfortable with their new caregivers. Others may be in hospitals wishing they could gather under a tree. Many, despite their parents’ best efforts, will go back to school shying away from their friend’s “what did you get for Christmas?” question.
Gifts are a part of what makes the holidays joyful. When we give to children, we show them that we see them. We show that we care and understand enough to know their likes and dislikes. Moreover, we teach them important lessons about giving and receiving.
“Although my parents were not the most affluent, they have always made sure we had something under the tree,” says Kuna.
“And I think every kid, at minimum, deserves that.”
#4 Make Yourself Happy
The joy of giving isn’t just a saying; it’s a feeling. Those who donate, no matter how little, report increased happiness. Studies also show that older people are typically healthier if they’re generous. Spending money on others can be as effective as medication for lowering blood pressure.
Join many Canadians that are already feeling the joy of giving: Charitable donations are up by 86% on average this year.
#5 It’s Easy
Changing a child’s holidays is simple. You only need to spend a few minutes dropping off a toy or donating what you can. If neither is an option, sharing this toy drive on social media encourages others to donate. Your share could lead to a cascade of shares and donations amongst your online friend community.
Toy Donation Ideas
If you are dropping off a toy in person, here are some suggestions by age group (you can donate items not featured on this list).
*Toys for Newborns
- Rattles
- Large toy rings
- Teething toys
- Squeeze toys
- Soft dolls
- Nursery rhyme books
- Nursery mobile
Toys for Infants and Toddlers
- Dolls
- Puppets
- Soft blocks
- Unbreakable mirrors
- Wooden cubes
- Markers/crayons
- Toy food/kitchen sets
- Toy cars
- Picture books
- Large and small balls
Toys for Children
- Books
- Board games
- Lego
- Play-Dough kits
- Arts and Crafts kits
- Stuffed toys
- Car sets
- Train sets
- Dolls and doll accessories
- Play food/kitchen sets
- Crayons and coloring book
*Toys for Tweens
- Journal sets
- Sports equipment
- Science kits
- Curling irons/straighteners
- Hair products
- Art and craft kits
- Nail kits/nail polish
- Action figures/transformers
- Remote control cars
- Bikes
- Building kits
- Backpacks/purses
- Sleds
- Gift cards
- Board games
- Books
- Bath products
*Toys for Teens
- Gift cards
- Sports equipment
- Makeup
- Bikes
- Nail kits/nail polish
- Art supplies
- Perfumes
- Curling irons/straighteners
- Hair products
- Jewelry
- Wireless speakers
- Video games
- Novels
- Bath products
- Wallets
- Tool sets
- Phone accessories
* Indicates groups that often go underserved in toy drives.
Baby Doppler Care Initiatives
Baby Doppler, a subsidiary of Dagamma Group, launched its holiday toy drive as a part of Baby Doppler Care Initiatives. In prior efforts, the company has provided support to a Toronto-based Autism center and has also supported many families outside of Canada in impoverished areas. Throughout 2021, Baby Doppler will continue providing support to families with various initiatives.
“With Baby Doppler Care initiatives, my hope is to bring smiles to every child’s face,” Kuna says.
“We want to work on many more initiatives to give back locally as well as globally.”
Each Toy Is A Smile On A Child’s Face. Donate Today.
