2019 Media Day @ Toy Mountain

Many tens of volunteers sorted and bagged presents on Dec. 5 at the Toy Centre at 350 Sparks Street for thousands of families. The family members come to the centre before Christmas to pick up large plastic bags of Christmas gifts for the approximate 25,000 children registered with Toy Mountain.

Media Day at Toy Mountain meant that a news crew from CTV came to spend the day helping with the gift packing and sorting. They covered the event which they co-sponsor with the Salvation Army's Ottawa Booth Centre.

 Two former members of the Ottawa Senators hockey team, Chris Phillips and Chris Neil, also attended and did their share of heavy lifting. The men, who logged more than 1,000 games with the Senators before they retired two years ago, are now alumni ambassadors for the team.

Chris Neil told CTV host Leanne Cusak the Toy Mountain event "was amazing to see how the community  comes together, and obviously look around and see what they have donated to families and kids in need – it feels good to be a part of. "

Chris Phillips helped unload a large wagon full of generous gifts from the Ottawa Fire Department, which was parked on Sparks Street, in front of the Morguard building that houses Toy Mountain.  

Maj. Pinksen said Ottawa residents have proven to be very generous with all these gifts, but there is still an opportunity to give - and we have a special need for those children aged 0-2 and boys and girls 8-12 years of age. 

He said he has been a Salvation Army officer for 23 years, and his first year heading the Toy Mountain campaign in Ottawa.

"What strikes me about this particular one is the sheer volume. When you are talking about distributing to 25,000 children that is absolutely enormous." 

He said that Marc Hoey and his team deserve nothing but the highest praise for the operational and logistical preparedness that they have here at the centre. Mr. Hoey is the Coordinator of Service Enhancement at the Ottawa Booth Centre.