Santa has helpers around the world, and many of them look like Canadian North employees.
These elves in disguise are the driving force behind our annual Toy Drive, bringing holiday joy to children in the communities we serve. These communities often have few stores and a limited selection of toys, which often sell out quickly.
The Toy Drive started after Canadian North President and CEO, Shelly De Caria, came back from maternity leave in November of 2015.
Employees ran with it.
Planning begins every September. The Sales, Community Investment and Planning teams choose where Santa will touch down and assess toy needs based on children’s ages and what’s popular this year. This year, we selected three communities in our network: Cambridge Bay, Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay.
The fundraising kick-off in October, called “30 Days to Fill our Sleigh,” is generously supported by employees families and friends – and $5,000 from Canada Goose. Volunteers then go handpick toys at Mastermind Toys, who also provide complimentary gift wrapping.
The partnership doesn’t stop there. Our friends at CargoJet generously transport the toys to our Edmonton cargo facility for distribution. Our teams work with the communities to plan events to hand out the toys, like these in Kinngait and Inuvik in 2023.
Heartfelt thanks to our employees, Canada Goose, CargoJet and Mastermind Toys, who come together year after year to support this initiative.
