As the holiday season approaches its final days, a long-standing community toy drive in Waterloo is grappling with an extraordinary challenge: demand has surged so dramatically that organizers temporarily ran out of toys for certain age groups. For the volunteers behind the Waterloo Knights of Columbus “New Toys for Needy Kids Toy Drive,” December 2025 has underscored both the generosity of the community and the growing level of need among local families.
For nearly three decades, the toy drive has been a cornerstone of holiday support for families struggling to afford gifts for their children. This year, however, the scale and urgency of requests have surpassed anything organizers have seen before.
Lines of Families Reflect Growing Need
Throughout December, families seeking help lined up along the street outside the Waterloo distribution site, often waiting in harsh winter conditions for the chance to pick up toys for their children. For many, the toy drive represented their only opportunity to put something under the Christmas tree.
“It’s a massive effort every year, and December 2025 is no different,” said Martin Hickey, Marketing and Facilities Manager for the Waterloo Knights of Columbus. “But I’ve never seen a start like we’ve had this year.”
Hickey explained that the volume of families arriving early in the season was unexpected, catching even seasoned organizers off guard.
Toy Shortages in Key Age Groups
One of the most striking challenges this year was a shortage of toys for children between the ages of nine and 13 — a demographic that often proves difficult for toy drives to fully supply.
“We actually ran out of toys in certain age groups,” Hickey said. “We had to go out and buy toys. Thank God we had the money to do that through the donations from the good folks in the region.”
For an entire week, the program struggled to meet demand for preteens and early teenagers. Organizers relied on reserve funds and emergency purchases to ensure that families were not turned away empty-handed.
“That’s not something we’re used to,” Hickey added. “But it shows just how high the need is right now.”
Nearly Three Decades of Community Support
Now in its 29th year, the New Toys for Needy Kids Toy Drive began as a modest initiative. In its first year, volunteers collected just 150 to 175 toys. At the time, organizers could not have imagined how large the program would become — or how essential it would be for the community.
Since those early days, both participation and demand have grown steadily. Today, the Waterloo Knights of Columbus toy drive is recognized as the largest of its kind in southwestern Ontario.
A Program That Has Grown With the Community
Over the years, the drive has collected and distributed more than $6 million worth of toys and donations, supporting tens of thousands of children across the region. Hickey noted that the local Knights of Columbus council has also gained recognition for its scale and consistency.
“From a council standpoint, our Knights of Columbus council is the largest in North America that does a toy drive,” he said.
That growth, however, has come with increasing responsibility as economic pressures place more families in difficult positions during the holidays.
Families Willing to Brave the Weather
Despite freezing temperatures, snow, and wind, families continued to line up outside the distribution site this year. Volunteers observed parents and caregivers waiting patiently with children, determined to ensure their families experienced some joy during the holiday season.
“The folks come in off the street — they’ve been lined up out to the street to pick up their toys in very inclement weather,” Hickey said. “But they do it.”
For organizers, those lines serve as a powerful reminder of why the program exists — and why community support remains essential.
Economic Pressures Driving Demand
While the toy drive has always served families facing hardship, organizers say 2025 has brought a noticeable increase in demand tied to broader economic challenges. Rising costs for housing, food, utilities, and transportation have left many families with little room in their budgets for holiday gifts.
Related community organizations across the region have reported similar trends, including increased reliance on food banks and seasonal assistance programs. Together, these indicators point to a year in which more households are struggling to meet basic needs, let alone holiday traditions.
A Boost From Stuff-a-Cruiser Campaign
Relief came at a critical moment this season thanks to the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Stuff-a-Cruiser campaign. The annual initiative encourages residents to donate new toys by filling police vehicles at designated locations.
According to Hickey, the impact this year was immediate and substantial.
“They just cleaned house this weekend for us,” he said. “We received 6,200 toys between Saturday and Sunday through the Stuff-a-Cruiser program.”
The influx of toys helped the Knights of Columbus overcome their most difficult shortfall and restored confidence that they could meet demand through the remainder of the season.
“It has taken us over the hump,” Hickey added. “It has now put us in shape to finish the year off strongly.”
Collaboration Key to Meeting the Need
Organizers say partnerships like Stuff-a-Cruiser highlight the importance of collaboration between community groups, volunteers, and public services. Without that coordinated effort, many families might not have received support this year.
Police divisions across the region have played a vital role by serving as convenient donation drop-off locations, making it easier for residents to contribute even during busy holiday schedules.
Donations Still Needed Before Christmas
Despite the recent surge in toy donations, organizers stress that the need remains high as Christmas approaches. The toy drive continues to accept donations, with drop-offs available at any Waterloo Regional Police Service division until Tuesday, December 23.
Hickey encouraged residents who are able to give to consider donating toys suitable for older children, noting that this age group often receives fewer contributions compared to younger kids.
“Teenagers still want to feel remembered at Christmas,” he said. “Those gifts matter just as much.”
More Than Just Toys
For families who rely on the toy drive, the impact goes beyond the physical gifts. Organizers say the program provides dignity, relief, and reassurance during a stressful time of year.
For parents facing financial hardship, knowing their children will have something to open on Christmas morning can ease emotional and psychological strain.
“For a lot of families, this is the difference between Christmas happening or not,” Hickey said.
Looking Ahead With Gratitude
As the 2025 holiday season enters its final stretch, the Waterloo Knights of Columbus are reflecting on both the challenges and the generosity that defined this year’s toy drive. While demand reached unprecedented levels, the response from the community proved equally remarkable.
From individual donors to large-scale initiatives like Stuff-a-Cruiser, support poured in when it was needed most.
“We couldn’t do this without the community,” Hickey said. “Every toy, every dollar, every volunteer hour makes a difference.”
Conclusion: A Season of Need and Compassion
The 2025 New Toys for Needy Kids Toy Drive has become a powerful reflection of the times — a season marked by financial strain for many, but also by compassion and collective action. Running out of toys was a stark signal of rising need, but the rapid response from donors demonstrated the strength of community spirit in Waterloo and beyond.
As organizers work to ensure no child is left without a gift this Christmas, one message remains clear: the demand is real, the need is urgent, and the generosity of the region continues to make a meaningful difference when it matters most.
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