$14K Raised, Most Ever, for Annual Toy Drive

David Dumas started a toy shopping tradition in the late 1980s. His mission was to brighten the lives of children who spend time at shelters for women victims of domestic violence.

He has carried out that tradition for 36 of the past 38 years.

On Wednesday, Dumas once again organized a toy shopping event at the Brooklyn Park Fleet Farm.

Among the volunteers who helped was Angie Shank.

“Give back to the community. It’s what it’s all about. Kids need us,” said Shank.

Charity organizations such as the Rotary Club of Crystal-New Hope-Robbinsdale and the Northwest Area Jaycees, and businesses such as Broadway Pizza helped raise money for the shopping event.

“It’s just a great cause,” said Troy Nygaard, who helped with the event. “To see the joy on the families and how much pride we can bring to the area, it’s really important to them.”

This year $14,000 was raised, the most ever for the cause.

“It’s just so fulfilling and rewarding. Just the joy that you see in the kids’ eyes when the see the gifts, it’s just worth it,” said Sipra Jha, director of Asian Women United of Minnesota, an organization that supports domestic violence victims.

Added Jha, “They’ve lost their childhood in the process you know, so they’re displaced, they’re at the shelter, so this is really important.”

Dumas also pointed out that all the purchases are put to good use.

“If we have extra toys, we keep them for birthday presents and things for the rest of the year to make sure that we don’t waste any of the donation money,” said Dumas.

Brooklyn Park | Crystal | Maple Grove | New Hope | Robbinsdale