Families with sick kids enjoy private shopping spree at Ottawa Toys 'R' Us
Families spending the morning at Nepean Toy "R" Us for an exclusive shopping spree, Sunday Dec. 15, 2024. (Josh Marano, CTV News Ottawa)
For 26 years, Toys "R" Us and Starlight Children's Foundation have worked together to bring joy and comfort to sick kids and their families through the power of toys.
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At the toy chain's Nepean location, over 40 families were gifted the opportunity to privately shop with Herb's Secret Santa before the doors opened to the public.
Each child was given a $50 gift-card to select any toys they wanted.
Children were greeted at the door by some of their favourite characters like Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes and even Darth Vader and R2-D2, along with Santa Claus, all of whom were volunteers.
Jordan Ahee is a Starlight ambassador and has been participating in the Herb's Secret Santa shopping spree since 2020. He says he looks forward to getting some new toys every year.
"It's really really cool," Ahee said, holding his new toys.
For over 30 years, the organization has been helping sick kids across the country through a unique blend of hospital-to-home programs designed for families.
"When I was in the hospital, they gave me a bag of things that we might forget, that was helpful," Ahee said. "They brought me on a wish trip. I got to go to Disney."
Isabelle Amoako with the Starlight foundation has built close relationships with each of the families. She says doing this every year and seeing familiar and new faces, smiling and happy, is the best gift of all.
"It's just really fun, a magical time right now. We're all super excited, they're all really happy to be here," Amoako said.
The special event is held at 11 stores across Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, bringing memories to over 750 families during a season when they need it most.
"It's just a lot of fun to be able to come together and just not be as lonely as some of them might be, especially because we're trying to create memories for these families who we just don't know how much time they might have," said Amoako.
Toys"R"Us is holding a sale with a limited-edition Starlight Bear and the in-store Star Campaign, where customers can make a direct impact by donating at checkout until Dec. 31.
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