Our mission
Our mission is to collaborate and support frontline shelters and organizations, promptly responding to their specific and regular needs by harnessing the power and resources of our network. We empower individuals and businesses to become leaders, helping them realize their potential to create a stronger, more compassionate relationship with their local community.
Over 20 years of Community Building
Hi! I’m Carolyn Bouchard-MacNeil, a mother of three, who began a small toy drive with a few friends and family members over two decades ago. This initiative has now evolved into a massive collaborative effort that is still growing. This year we collected over 4,000 gifts to support children and women in more than 71 shelters and organizations. Thanks to our growing network of volunteers, Carolyn’s Toy Drive has become one of the largest community projects in Montreal!
Over the last eight years, the Toy Drive has expanded beyond the holiday season with our Back-to-School Collection, Coat Collection, and Food Drives to help families in need year-round. I am consistently inspired by everyone that decides to get involved and make a difference. With my community’s unwavering commitment, I’ve been entirely dedicated to growing Carolyn’s Toy Drive into Carolyn’s Community.
When I’m not collecting items, I’m matching volunteers with various organizations to encourage more people to engage with their own community. Their participation is a testament to the power of small acts of kindness, and my hope is that its impact is felt far beyond the borders of my hometown of Montreal.
With your help, we can transform the lives of countless individuals in need. I’ve seen the power of community-driven initiatives and how important it is to give back to those who may be less fortunate. Thank you for being here and I hope you’ll join me in building this beautiful community of do-gooders!
Our Story
2002
Toy Drive commenced with a small list of 30 kids. Collaborated with the Old Brewery Mission who supported the children from The Gazette Fund.
2006
Started partnership with the Salvation Army helping support their annual Angel Program.
2007
Introduced initiative to Women’s shelters. Providing toys to children who have passed through their shelter during that year. Thereafter, taking on more shelters every year. Today supporting over 4,000 children in 33 shelters.
2015
Introduced Toy Drive initiative to Organizations working with refugees, youth in group homes, foster children and underprivileged children. 2021 supporting over 32 organizations in total. Extended the Toy Drive initiative to start collecting women’s gifts for the Holiday Season.
2016
- January – Initiative to collect household items and furniture for teens moving out of group homes.
- February – Continued collections of household items, furniture, second hand toys, clothes and baby items for organizations working with refugees and underprivileged children.
2018
- March – Launched fundraiser campaign to raise money for The Auberge de Transition for a Bed Bug Infestation in the shelter. A total of $4,295 was raised, plus a $1,500 from City Church for the shelter.
- May – Worked in collaboration with Royal Lepage Village NDG on the “Walk a Mile in her Shoes Event”. Our team consisted of 27 men, and raised $13,456.00 for The Auberge de Transition.
2019
- July – Walk a Mile in Her Shoes – Our team consisted of 40 men raised $21,898.81 that year.
2020
- April – Collaborated with Spread the Love to collect and deliver food baskets to 80 refugees and underprivileged families during the start of the Pandemic.
- May – Coordinated mask distribution to shelters and organizations when new mask regulations came into place.
2020
- August – Launched a Back to School campaign with City Church and others in our community. Collecting backpacks and school supplies to support refugees for Movement Contre Viol et Inceste, Acte D’Amour and Enfam.
2020
- December – Siemens Energy announced a Matching Program for employees who sponsored a child in Carolyn’s Toy Drive. In 2020 & 2021 $6,275 was donated to Movement Contre Viol et Inceste for refugee families.
2021
- February – Starting Collaborating with the Seniors in Action.
- April – On an emergency basis, raised $4,646 for a pregnant refugee and husband who needed funds to pay for hospital fees. Also collected all necessary baby furniture, items and clothes for their newborn.
2021
- December – Food Drive Initiatives for Le Grand Pas, Act D’Amour, Logifem, Auberge de Transition & Movement Control Viol et Inceste.