For the past 30 years, the annual Toy Tea event has supported battered women’s shelters across the province with donations going directly to the children living in these homes.
Need is increasing
In the past, it was hosted at a venue where attendees could mingle and watch live performances by school choirs. But because of the pandemic, the event will be held virtually again this year. And that is not all that has changed.
With COVID-19, victims have been experiencing a greater threat as many were confined to their homes with their abusers during the lock down, according to Toy Tea organizers. In fact, calls to shelters from people seeking refuge have increased by as much as 36 per cent in some places in Quebec. This means shelters need funding more than ever, with higher expenses to protect more people as well as the cost of additional health and safety protocols.
Event goes virtual
The event will take place virtually on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. and will be hosted by radio host Donna Saker.
Student musicians, singers, and dancers are invited to participate by uploading a two-minute video of their performance to toyteashowcase.com and donating a new toy or making a monetary donation.
https://www.facebook.com/ToyTeaMontreal/videos/1778783625607729
Easy ways to donate
Toy Tea, a charity run solely by volunteers, has provided more than 5,000 kids and teens in the province with new, non-violent toys for the holidays. The public can help in a number of ways. Buy a new toy for a child or gift cards for those ages 12-18, (such as Tim Horton’s, McDonalds, retail store cards, etc.) and bring them to one of the drop-off locales across the city:
JAMES Boutique – 4910 Sherbrooke St. W.
Suetables – 1314 Greene Ave.
Victoria Hall – 4625 Sherbrooke St. W.
The Studio Mtl – 4924 Sherbrooke St. W.
Zone de Nutrition – 4701-N St. Jean Blvd,, DDO
Or purchase a toy from the Amazon wish list: AMAZONTOYTEA2021
https://www.facebook.com/ToyTeaMontreal/posts/4896958443650362
For more information, visit toyteashowcase.com.
