Barrie's annual Toy Tea is gearing up to celebrate its 19th year with a blend of tradition, community spirit, and new initiatives.
The event takes place Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Georgian BMW / Mini dealership from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Angela Baldwin, Toy Tea committee member, describes the event as a feel-good kickoff to the holiday.
"The Toy Tea is a drop-in event where everyone comes together to raise money for a couple of charities," Baldwin told Barrie 360. "We’ve got a great fashion show at noon, and it’s all about community connection and giving back."
The event originally began in private homes, but as it grew, it transitioned to the dealership six or seven years ago.
"Moving to the dealership gave us more space, better parking, and accessibility for everyone," Baldwin explained. "We’ve also expanded the fashion show ... all shapes, all sizes, all ages, and men in the fashion show as well."
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Admission With a Heart
Admission to the Toy Tea is simple: attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or a gift card for teenagers.
"All of these gifts and cards go to Christmas Cheer," said Baldwin.
Additionally, funds raised through a raffle will benefit the Barrie Food Bank.
Last year, the event raised around $33,000 through a combination of donations, sponsorships, and toys.
"We'd love to be in that ballpark for this year," Baldwin added.
Highlights of the Day
This year's event introduces two new independent retailers to its fashion show lineup.
"We’ve always focused on local independent retailers," said Baldwin.
"For people that only have one hour, I would recommend coming at noon to see an incredible fashion show of beautiful independent retailers in our community. It's super fun and high energy. You'll see people you know and it makes it just that much more interactive."
A Legacy of Giving Back
Reflecting on the event’s legacy, Baldwin expressed the connection the committee feels to the community.
"We’re all pretty community-minded people involved in this event," said Baldwin. "A lot of us have grown up here or were even born here, so it's in our soul to give back."
Head to the Toy Tea website for more information and to donate directly to the Barrie Food Bank or Christmas Cheer.
