It was only after Harvey Kooner received some tragic news about his close friend, Victor Ghirra, that Kooner learned about one of Ghirra's longest-standing holiday traditions.
Ghirra passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in October 2007, from complications related to sleep apnea at the age of 37. He left behind a wife, four young boys, a large extended family and a legacy that some of his closest friends didn't even know about until after his death.
"During that week or two weeks leading up to the funeral, you know, you hear all these heartwarming stories about Victor," Kooner recalled. "One of his friends was mentioning that he went to the Children's Hospital every year, and would donate thousands of dollars [worth] of toys. When [staff] would ask him, you know, 'Sir, can we give you a tax receipt? Which organization are you from?,' all he would say is 'This is for the kids and that's all you need to know.'"
Ghirra "was very kindhearted. He would always be there for people," Kooner remembered. While no one knew exactly how long Ghirra had kept up these significant annual donations, "he was at least doing it for about a decade."
After his passing, Kooner was inspired by his friend's generosity to keep the tradition going—what better way to do so than a holiday toy drive?
Annual toy drive has collected tens of thousands of toys donated to Metro Vancouver organizations and families in need
In the years since launching the Victor Ghirra Toy Drive, Ghirra's friends, family and coworkers have banded together to support the initiative, turning their tragedy into a series of good deeds that have impacted the Metro Vancouver community and beyond. "It seems like every year that we get together we remember him, and we get to, once again, live his giving spirit, and so many thousands of kids are helped through it," Kooner said.
What began with few hundred toys 14 years ago has grown exponentially. The annual drive has cumulatively collected over 40,650 toys for dozens of local and international charities, as well as individual families in need.
While the Toy Drive is usually a lively event that takes place inside the Riverside Grand Ballroom in Richmond—owned by one of Ghirra's brothers—organizers have been forced to adapt the event for 2020 in order to adhere to COVID-19 health regulations.
Another 2020 first: Toy drive adopts drive-thru format
When the Victor Ghirra Toy Drive returns on Dec. 12 for its 14th iteration, it will be with a brand-new drive-thru format.
"This is gonna be really different," said Kooner. "We've been talking to BC health and the BC Centre for Dsease Control, and WorkSafe BC, just to make sure that we're doing everything right and putting all the proper protocols to make this a successful event."
Those interested in contributing can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Riverside Banquet Hall on Dec. 12, where they'll be able to snap a fun photo from the comfort of their cars, thanks to a Winter Wonderland-themed mobile photo booth.
Alternatively, toys can be dropped off at all Co-operators Insurance agencies across the Lower Mainland in the lead-up to Dec. 12, as well as Vancity's Victoria Drive location. Monetary donations will also be accepted via e-transfer at bobby@riversidehalls.com.
Pandemic creating even more hardships this holiday season
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, several other local toy drives have been suspended this year, Kooner said. "A lot have had to cancel because of the pandemic or lack of interest, so we decided that we need to keep this going. It may not be the turnout that we've had in years past, but we're still going to do our best."
Despite the cancellations, many of the good causes the initiative has benefited in past years are experiencing "the greatest need that we've ever seen, at least in the history of our toy drive," according to Kooner.
"But it's a tough go with the pandemic, when people have lost their jobs, and just with everything everyone's dealing with."
As far as what those needs are, Kooner offered up a gentle reminder that gifts for teens and preteens are often lacking from the pile of donations. "So that might be cosmetics, or it might be gift cards or electronics," he said. "They tend get forgotten."
But as the need rises, the act of giving is made all the more difficult, too.
As Kooner explained, organizing workplace toy drives, for example, is trickier when colleagues aren't allowed to congregate.
"I'm still amazed at everyone's spirit though," he said. "People are still wanting to give, it's just a different way of giving this year."
To that end, Kooner asks anyone who is interested in contributing to the toy drive, but who might prefer to avoid the drive-thru event, to contact him and sort out an alternative. (He can be reached at harveykooner1@gmail.com or 604-671-4180.)
"If they want to leave toys on their doorstep or send toys, we can help definitely help them out as well," he said. "We're just trying to make Christmas a little brighter for some kids out there and hoping to have a good turnout."
14th Annual Victor Ghirra Toy Drive
When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Riverside Grand Ballroom parking lot, 14500 River Rd., Richmond, B.C.
What: This year's Victor Ghirra Toy Drive will benefit organizations including:
- BC Children's Hospital Foundation
- Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau
- Richmond Christmas Fund
- CanuckPlace
- NightShift Street Ministries - Care Centre
- Helping Hands Children's Centre
- Options Community Services Family Services North Shore
- Ray-Cam Cooperative Centre
