Soccer balls, gift cards, toy trucks, games, books and dolls were flying off the shelves last week.
And that wasn't even at the mall.
It was toy shop day at Trinity United Church in Port Coquitlam, an event run by Share Family and Community Services for families needing a little extra help this holiday season.
The shop was packed to the brim last Friday with gifts for kids of all ages and parents lined up in the cold for their turn to choose a gift for each child, plus a family board game, a book and, for the little ones, a stuffed toy.
"It's a pretty good crowd," said Karen Faminoff, Share's toy bank co-ordinator, who said about 2,200 children are registered to get a gift this year.
On this day, it appeared the generosity of Tri-City people had resulted in a variety of gifts - from new hoodies, to children's toys, even a skateboard and a few bike helmets.
One mom who was visiting the Christmas toy bank for the first time expressed surprise at the range of offerings and the generosity that inspired people to give.
"I'm impressed," said the Coquitlam resident as she chose a couple of gift cards and a game called CSI: Senses for her teenagers.
The single mom said there was a time before her marriage broke up and a family business failed when she used to donate to World Vision every month. Now, she is accepting the charity of others.
"It's sad, but I'm grateful at the same time."
Volunteers such as Jan Richen were on hand to help parents find just the right gift. With her red sweater and dangly Christmas ornament earrings making her look like Santa's helper, Richen said has been helping at the toy bank for about six years.
"We walked over and said, 'Do you want a hand?' I've been here ever since," Richen said, noting that her son, Mike, a Coquitlam firefighter, and husband, Doug, also help every year.
Over the years, Share has perfected its system for making sure every child gets a toy for Christmas.
It takes weeks, even months, to organize the goods for the toy shop. In fact, much of the work takes place in January and February, when gifts that come in close to Christmas have to be sorted for the following year.
Margaret Decario is in charge of the gifts for the smallest children. "Zero to two (years) is my project," she said, noting she spends some weeks in both winter and fall sorting and packaging toys.
Decario said she groups the board books, rattles and early-learning games into parcels with an approximate value of $30 to $40, and hopes families will be happy with the packages.
"The people that come in are so nice," Decario said. "They wouldn't be there if they didn't have to be."
Many of the gifts that come in are for the three-to-eight age group and Share is putting out a call for toys for infants, tweens aged nine to 12 years, and teenagers. When gifts are scarce for a particular age group, Faminoff goes shopping with fundraising dollars to fill in the gaps.
Share also holds toy shops at two churches Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, in addition to the two in Port Moody, so they are more accessible for people who need them.
As the parents wander through the room looking for just the right gift for their children, many stop at the table for 13- to 18 year-olds presided over by Reid Allen. The Gleneagle student is another toy shop veteran and he said parents seem to appreciate his advice on the more technical toys, including cameras.
"It's a good way to get volunteer hours," Allen said, "by helping people who are less fortunate."
As the morning progresses, families continue to stream into the room at Trinity United, carrying black garbage bags for the gifts. They talk quietly among themselves and discuss the merits of every game, toy and book.
The Coquitlam mom with the CSI game and gift cards is ready to leave but is willing to talk about the difficult circumstances that brought her to Share this year. Her children, who are graduating from high school, are making her proud and she wants to do right by them, even if it means seeking charity to put something under the tree.
Every day is a new day, she said, and one day, if she continues to circulate her resume, she will get the job she needs to get back on track.
In the meantime, she says, "You have to think of your children first and do what you can.
"To me, it's the most important thing."
WHO NEEDS WHAT
Gifts for infants up to two years, such as clothes, board books and toys;
for tweens nine to 12 years, such as jewelry, hair accessories, watches and remote control vehicles;
and for youths 13 to 18.
HOW TO HELP
Drop off toys and gift donations at the Share tree/gift wrap booth at Coquitlam Centre, upper level, between Aritzia and The Gap.
Share still needs volunteers to staff the booth and the tree. Contact Heather Stacey at 604-540-9161.
GAME ON: PUCKS & BEARS
Coquitlam Express Junior A Hockey Club is holding its annual Teddy Bear Toss and toy drive Sunday, Dec. 11. Puck drop at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex is 2 p.m. When the Express score their first goal, everyone tosses their bears on the ice. Teddy Bears will be available for $10 at the game, with all proceeds going to Share Family and Community Services. Fans are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy; in exchange, they will receive a $5 Joey Coquitlam gift card for each toy.
Tickets are available at the door or www.myexpresstickets.com.
