Helping people find a home is what Sidney realtor Chace Whitson does for a living but when the holiday season comes around, he collects toys in his office which he hopes will end up in someone’s home this Christmas.
"I've been supporting the toy drive since 2018,” he says. “This year, I have partnered with the Sidney Lions Club to help families have a memorable holiday.”
Born and raised on the Saanich Peninsula, the father of three says the toy drive is a great way to support other families who could not afford to buy their little ones toys for Christmas,” he said.
When asked about his favourite Christmas memory, Whitson turned sentimental and told Peninsula News Review it was receiving a Teddy Ruxpin stuffed toy when he was four.
“It was a big deal when I was a young kid. It was the only one and the only thing that I wanted for Christmas, so I was thrilled with it,” he shared.
On Nov. 7, Whitson opened up one of his company’s properties for sale at 585 Downey Road and hosted the Sidney Toy Drive, welcoming over 100 people who dropped off hundreds of toys and gift cards for kids. The owner of the house, Phil Wilson of Philco Construction, co-hosted and promoted the Sidney Toy Drive with Whitson.
Whitson used his network to advertise the event to his fellow realtors, local businesses, colleagues, clients, builders, developers and the public, encouraging them to bring a new or unwrapped toy to the open house.
"We will keep collecting toys until Dec. 10 because we collected so many that day," he added.
Toy donations can be dropped off at Macdonald Realty Sidney, 2411 Bevan Ave., Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The second phase of the toy drive, according to Sidney Lions, involves Saanich Peninsula Food Bank recipients receiving a card that allows them to choose toys after picking up their food.
