Families support one another and at Dunpar Homes we do the same for our Dunpar Families.
It is why we are honoured to support the Second Annual Kelly Marie Atyeo Holiday Toy Drive, a cause that was near and dear to one of our Dunpar families.
Kelly Marie Atyeo and her husband, Joshua Fick, purchased a Dunpar Home in Lake Shore Village in 2018. Kelly had recently started a toy drive to donate gifts at the holiday season to children in need in Toronto.
Making Kelly Proud
When Kelly suddenly passed away last year at the age of 31, Kelly’s husband, her sister Carolyn, and her mother knew they had to continue on with Kelly’s dream.
“I think she’d be so proud of Josh and I and my mum,” says Carolyn. “She’d give us a high five and congratulate us on taking it to the next step.”
Goal is to Fill a Truck
That her sister had taken it upon herself to organize such a community effort did not surprise Carolyn in the least.
“She had a really good spirit and there was no pause button to her,” she smiles, recalling how her sister could often be spotted on 20 kilometre daily walks in her bright red coat and toque. “She had this energy about her that was electric and magnetic!”
After the resounding success of Kelly’s first toy drive, she set a lofty goal for the next one, recalls Carolyn.
“She said, ‘oh I can’t wait to fill up a U-Haul truck full of toys’.”
Donation Locations
Dunpar Homes has set up donation boxes at three locations in the city to help realise Kelly’s goal.
Donations of NEW, UNWRAPPED toys will be given to the Toronto Salvation Army where they will be distributed to children in the Greater Toronto Area in time for Christmas.
Toys can be brought to the following locations until Nov.27th.
Dunpar Homes Head Office
⇒105 Six Point Road, Etobicoke
Kingsway Village Square
⇒571 Prince Edward Drive North
Lake Shore Village Model Suite
⇒33 – 29th Street, Etobicoke
Toys for Teens Needed
While donations for all ages are greatly appreciated, Carolyn says there is a strong need for a particular age group:
“When you think of toy drives, a lot of people think of kids 10 and under, and yes we’d love toys for them, but I often think teens go just a little bit unnoticed,” said Carolyn. Gifts are needed for both boys and girls ages 10 to 17.
On Saturday, November 28th, between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Kelly’s family and supporters of the toy drive will gather at 3560 Lake Shore Blvd. W. at Long Branch Avenue (in front of The Beer Store) where we will attempt to fill that truck full of toys, just like Kelly always wanted!
Donation Ideas
If you need ideas of what to give, some suggestions for the tweens and young teens are:
