The family of the late Vinny Maan, a beloved personality who loved Christmas, continued the tradition
of honouring his legacy of spreading love and cheer through the third annual Uncle Vinny’s Toy Drive.
Last week, The Salvation Army loaded up a rental truck with over 1,350 toys that were collected by the
family to take to their Christmas Toy Shop, a special display of toys for children that otherwise would not
be able to afford Christmas gifts and is set up in a way that allows families the dignity to choose their
own gifts.
“It’s because of this toy drive that we’ll be able to serve up to 500 families who may have gone without
Christmas this year if it wasn’t for the generosity of this family,” said Tamara Randlesome, Corps Officer,
The Salvation Army Boundless Vancouver.
After losing Vinny in December 2019 the family decided to do something that would allow them to
commemorate him. They started in 2021 with an original goal of 100-200 toys and shattered
expectations collecting nearly 3,000 toys over the last two years. “Vinny would love to see smiles on
children’s faces. I don’t think we could have found a better way to honour him and carry on his legacy,”
says Pinder, Vinny’s sister, and organizer of the toy drive.
Donation bins were left at local businesses and at the door of the family home for friends to drop off
donations. New this year, the Maan family hosted a Christmas Market with 18 vendors to celebrate
Vinny’s birthday where they raised nearly $1,000 and collected 88 toys.
“We wanted the toys to go back into the community,” said Pinder, on why they chose to give to The
Salvation Army. The family plans to continue the tradition moving forward, “we will definitely keep
doing this, it gets us through the holidays, and brings so much joy,” she added.
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and
has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The
Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day in 400 communities
across Canada and more than 130 countries around the world.
