Doon South community
Our Story: Ten Years of Toys
From one conversation at a neighbourhood pharmacy to a community drive that has gathered 7,230 toys across nine completed years.
Where it started
A conversation that founded the drive
In 2017, Facebook group admin Mukul Verma approached Lydia at Doon Village Pharmacy about becoming a drop-off location. That partnership with Lydia and Nish founded the drive, and in its first year it collected 38 toys.
Each year since, the Doon South Facebook group and local drop-off hosts have carried the campaign forward toward CTV Toy Mountain – Salvation Army.
The record
Annual toy totals, 2017–2025
2017: 38 toys
The first year, begun with Lydia and Nish at Doon Village Pharmacy.
2018: 126 toys
The drive grew with a second full year of drop-offs.
2019: 188 toys
Another steady year of neighbourhood giving.
2020: 700 toys
A major increase in toys collected.
2021: 1,293 toys
More than a thousand toys gathered in one year.
2022: 1,341 toys
The highest annual total recorded in the archive.
2023: 1,278 toys
Another year above a thousand toys.
2024: 1,300 toys
Continued strong community participation.
2025: 966 toys
The most recent completed year in the supplied record.
Documented total: 7,230 toys
Editable history: add year-by-year notes, volunteer-free milestones, and community memories here.
