Families with seriously ill children across the country shine a bit brighter each year, thanks to Starlight Children’s Foundation® Canada’s friendship with Toys“R”Us Canada and Babies“R”Us Canada. This year, their smiles will shine just that much brighter.
Starlight Canada and Toys“R”Us Canada are celebrating our 25th year of partnership!
This year, we are truly touched to be celebrating two and a half decades of uplifting Starlight families through the power of play and imagination. As fierce contributors to their community and our leading national supporter, Toys“R”Us Canada has raised over $28 million for Starlight Canada’s vital hospital to home programs since the beginning of our friendship, and continues to be a driving source of joy, relief, and laughter for sick or hospitalized children – from coast to coast.
Whether it’s sponsoring relaxing boat rides through our Great Escapes® Wishes program, providing hospitalized children with Comfort Kits™ to help them through a difficult stay, hosting VIP shopping sprees across Canada for sick kids in need of a pick-me-up, or gifting much-needed grants to pediatric units in every community, the magnitude of Toys“R”Us Canada is felt beyond the walls of their stores, year after year.
“People often use the cliché, ‘we couldn’t do it without you,’ but in terms of Starlight Canada’s relationship with Toys“R”Us Canada, these words ring truer than ever,” says Brian Bringolf, Starlight Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “In our 25 years together, our partnership has blossomed into tangible programs that directly affect the lives of thousands of seriously ill or hospitalized Canadian children each month. Toys“R”Us Canada is a true leader in philanthropy, and our communities are stronger because of them.”
Last year, thanks to the determination of their incredible staff and customers, an astounding $1,637,046 was raised in Toys“R”Us Canada stores over the 2022 holiday season, and beyond, to help families with sick kids find their smiles again.
Now, Toys“R”Us Canada and their dedicated staff have already started going above and beyond to spread the joy to seriously ill children.
At Toys“R”Us Canada’s Thornhill location, Store Manager, Mike, recently made a special contribution to Starlight Canada by donating a custom electric guitar, handmade by Mike himself! This one-of-a-kind guitar was given to musician and Starlight teen, Liam, who lives with severe epilepsy and an intellectual delay. When his conditions can make daily life difficult, he turns to music for comfort and support. Thanks to Mike’s generous gift, Liam can continue to follow his passion and shine like the star he is.
“This guitar will inspire him to continue writing the songs from his heart,” shared Liam’s mom, Kimberley. “He’ll wear this guitar proudly to show he’s a part of the Starlight Canada family as he continues to jam out his next number one hits!”
Join Starlight Canada in celebrating this special anniversary all year round!
In honour of this milestone, our 25th Annual Starlight Canada Gala is making its highly anticipated return after 3 years! On Thursday, August 31, 2023, a whimsical “Power of Play” theme will transform the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto into a larger-than-life toy land, with a nostalgic look back at what it felt like to be a kid. Celebrate all the childhood joy that we have created with Toys“R”Us Canada for seriously ill kids and watch your imagination come to life at starlightcanadagala.com.
Thank you, Toys“R”Us Canada, for helping us care for our communities for 25 years.
Stay tuned for another magical year ahead!
