Holiday
We are very excited about our 2023 Holiday Toy Room program!
If you are interested in supporting women and their families this year as a donor, volunteer, or corporate sponsor, please contact Linda at linda@womenscentrecalgary.org, Cera at cera@womenscentrecalgary.org or call us at (403) 264-1155.
If you would like to register to use the Toy Room, call us at (403) 264-1155. We are experiencing high call volumes, so please be patient as we attend to you.
Returning this year – Shop and Donate from a Social Distance: you can purchase toys or gifts online through our partners Castle Toys (details below) or your preferred online retailer, and select to ship them directly to the Women’s Centre (39 – 4th St. N.E Calgary, Alberta T2E 3R6).
The holidays can be a difficult time for many, and thousands of women in Calgary struggle to afford holiday gifts for their children. The Women’s Centre Holiday Toy Room helps women and families by operating a gift program, where women are able to choose a holiday gift for their children as well as a gift for themselves.
Last year, although we served fewer women because of COVID-19, we provided gifts to over 3600 children and women in Calgary. We distributed thousands of gifts through the Toy Room. This program is run with the support of individuals, businesses, and community organizations.
Donate Online
If you would like to support our Holiday Toy Room online, you can donate funds to the program by clicking here. When you fill out the online form, you can specify that you would like your donation to be used for our Holiday Toy Program.
Your donation is tax-deductible, the Women’s Centre will issue charitable tax receipts for donations over $20.
Donate Gifts
Gift donations can be made to our Holiday Toy Room as early as October 2023. We accept new, unwrapped gift donations for children ages 0 – 17. We also accept new, unwrapped gift donations for women to use as a part of our Women’s Gifts program. For both children’s gifts and women’s gifts, we recommend selecting gifts in the $25 – $50 price range.
Donations can be dropped off at the Women’s Centre (39 – 4 Street NE) during our hours of operation. If you plan to make a large donation, please contact us ahead of time to arrange a time to drop gifts off. If you prefer to arrange a pick up (within Calgary city limits only), please call us. We can be reached by phone: (403) 264-1155.
We also accept donations of gift bags and holiday cards.
Shop and Donate from a Social Distance
The Women’s Centre has once again partnered with locally owned and operated Castle Toys to facilitate gift donations for the Centre. Visit Castle Toys’ website for more gift ideas.
Use promo code WOMENSCENTRE2023 to receive 20% off your online or in-store order and to have your purchased items donated directly to the Women’s Centre.
For in-store purchases, please provide valid proof of this webpage containing the promotional codes (e.g. a printed copy or an electric copy from your mobile device).
The promo code is valid until November 1, 2024. Restrictions apply.
Organize a Toy Drive!
Are you a business, organization, family, or group of friends looking to make a difference over the holidays? Consider organizing a toy drive for our Holiday Toy Room! This is a great way to connect with friends and coworkers while supporting women and children in your community.
We encourage Toy Drive organizers to donate gifts before our Toy Room opens on December 5, but we accept Toy Drive donations between October 1 and December 20!
Toy Drive donations can be dropped off at the Women’s Centre, or arrange to have them picked up at your organization!
For more information on organizing a toy drive, contact Linda at linda@womenscentrecalgary.org, Cera at cera@womenscentrecalgary.org or visit Organize a Drive.
Toy Room Volunteers
Do you have a knack for organizing and an interest in supporting women in your community? Join our Toy Room administrative volunteer team to help us keep our Holiday Toy Room running smoothly!
Volunteer as an individual!
Job duties include answering phones, booking toy room appointments for women, and connecting with women to provide them with information about holiday resources and support. Hours for this position are flexible, this role is open to anyone who identifies as a woman.
Sponsor a Toy Room shift and Volunteer as a Group!
The Women’s Centre also is happy to share sponsorship and group volunteering opportunities with our community and corporate partners! For details on the time commitment and corporate sponsorship amounts, contact Linda at linda@womenscentrecalgary.org, Cera at cera@womenscentrecalgary.org or call (403) 264-1155.
The holiday program is entirely supported by community donations and amazing volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to grow as a team and connect directly with women in your community. Find our complete 2023 Toy Room Package HERE.
Thank you so much for your support!
Birthday Program
Throughout the year, our Birthday Program also provides gifts for women to give their child(ren) for their birthday(s). With their child’s I.D., mothers or primary caregivers can come in two weeks before or after their child’s birthday to choose a gift.
Donations of new toys can be made throughout the year for this program, and suggestions for items are the same as our Holiday Toy Room list.
We accept new, unwrapped gift donations for children ages 0 – 17. We recommend selecting gifts in the $25 – $40 price range.
Donations can be dropped off at the Women’s Centre (39 – 4 Street NE) during our hours of operation.
Visit Castle Toys in-store (101 – 5718 1A Street SW) or online and purchase items to donate to our Birthday Gift Program. Use the promo code WOMENSCENTRE2023 to receive 20% off all regular priced items.
