Annual holiday toy drive in memory of Laurier colleague seeks gift cards

Nov. 17, 2020

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Financial Resources team will again host Sarah’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive in memory of former colleague and toy-drive organizer Sarah Wilkinson, who passed away in August 2018. Each December, Wilkinson organized the toy drive across Laurier’s campuses to support the Salvation Army’s Christmas Hamper program.

But like most things amid the pandemic, the 2020 annual toy drive will also look different.

Instead of seeking new, unwrapped toys, Financial Resources’ staff members are asking members of the Laurier community to donate gift cards for toys and food, as requested by the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army will distribute the gift cards to families in need so that they can do their own shopping in ways that feel safe for them.

Gift cards from the following retailers are appreciated:

• Walmart, Toys R Us, EB Games
• Sport Chek, Canadian Tire, Ardene
• Amazon, Happy Teen gift cards
• Grocery stores: Zehrs, Food Basics
• Mall gift cards

Donate in Brantford by Dec. 4

Employees can drop off gift cards to Penny Friesen, SC Johnson building at 38 Market Street. Use the contractor entrance to the right of the main door and knock or call 519.771.0281 upon arrival. Gift cards can be dropped between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Gift cards can also be purchased from physical or online retailers of your choice and shipped or mailed to:

Wilfrid Laurier University
Attn: Sarah’s Toy Drive
20 Charlotte Street
Brantford, ON N3T 2W2

If purchasing physical gift cards from online retailers such as Amazon.ca, Giftcards.ca, Giftofchoice.ca, simply change the shipping address to the Laurier address above. Only physical gift cards can be accepted; no e-gift cards.

Questions about gift card collection at Laurier’s Brantford campus can be sent to Antonietta Volpe or Penny Friesen.

Donate in Kitchener and Waterloo by Dec. 8

Employees can drop an envelope with the gift card(s) enclosed to the mail slot at the rear entrance of 202 Regina Street in Waterloo. Please label the envelope “Sarah’s Toy Drive.” The mail slot is accessible at all times and gift cards will be collected regularly.

Physical gift cards can also be purchased online from a retailer of your choice and shipped or mailed to:

Wilfrid Laurier University
Attn: Sarah’s Toy Drive
75 University Avenue West
Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5

If purchasing physical gift cards from online retailers such as Amazon.ca, Giftcards.ca, Giftofchoice.ca, simply change the shipping address to the Laurier address above. Only physical gift cards can be accepted; no e-gift cards.

Questions about gift card collections at Laurier’s Kitchener location or Waterloo campus can be sent to Julie Steckel or Florence Bray.