Amid the rising cost of seemingly everything in B.C., a group of South Surrey parents got together this year to do a leave-one-take-one toy exchange to help ease the financial burden of buying holiday presents.
Kelsey Findlay has been a part of a momB次元官网网址檚 Facebook group for years, but noticed a trend in the last few months that she had not seen in the Semiahmoo Peninsula group before.
B次元官网网址淚 feel like day after day after day, I was seeing these posts of B次元官网网址業 canB次元官网网址檛 afford to feed my kids. How are you guys affording grocery budgets?B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址楪as bills are racking up, monthly rentB次元官网网址�,B次元官网网址� Findlay said.
The social media posts inspired the mom of two to float the idea of arranging a gift exchange within the group, and the response she got overwhelmingly gave the impression that many would enthusiastically take part.
B次元官网网址淚 thought, B次元官网网址極K, obviously thereB次元官网网址檚 a really strong demandB次元官网网址� so I did what I could.B次元官网网址�
Findlay got to work planning the exchange in a relatively short period of time. She opened up her home as a drop-off location for toys, then booked the Ocean Park Community Hall by donation and started an online registration form that individuals could use to fill out with items they planned to donate. Findlay could then distribute tickets for the event in accordance with how much each person or family donated.
B次元官网网址淭hey were basically able to come and shop with their ticket. Some of them took more than they (gave) because we had a lot of gracious donations and some of them, if they had eight tickets only took five (items) because of what they could find and what they felt the need was for their family,B次元官网网址� she shared.
There was even a collection of leftover toys that Findlay loaded into a truck and donated to a thrift store.
While many who Findlay saw participate did so for financial reasons, others were motivated by environmental concerns, she noted.
B次元官网网址淵ou have all of these perfectly good, functional toys, especially from the under-three category, (they) hardly get touched and then what do you do with them?B次元官网网址�
Over-consumption can be difficult to avoid, especially during the holiday season, but the event allowed peopleB次元官网网址檚 old toys to be given a second life in a new home.
Even with the quick turn-around, there were more than 40 people who participated in the exchange. Going forward, the toy exchange will hopefully become an annual event, Findlay added.
B次元官网网址淎 lot of people said B次元官网网址榃e just donB次元官网网址檛 have time to get stuff together.B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 such a busy time anyways, but I would definitely do it again and make it an annual thing with tons of notice.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not like itB次元官网网址檚 new this year that people are in need. I just felt like there was a significantly (higher number) of your average, dual-income households that just canB次元官网网址檛 do it this year and itB次元官网网址檚 sad. ItB次元官网网址檚 really sad.B次元官网网址�
For anyone hoping to participate next year, Findlay advises they consider giving items their child no longer uses, but are still in good condition.
B次元官网网址淯se your judgment for what you would be happy to receive if you were coming in and exchanging,B次元官网网址� she said.
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