CTV Toronto and The Salvation Army Present the 25th Annual TOY MOUNTAIN Campaign, Launching Today

Tags: @ToyMountain, @CTVToronto

TORONTO (November 13, 2020) – As many families struggle to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic, CTV Toronto aims to assist those in need this holiday season during the 25^th annual TOY MOUNTAIN campaign in support of The Salvation Army. Starting today, TOY MOUNTAIN will begin collecting a mountain of toys for families, with additional details to be announced tonight (Friday, Nov. 13) on CTV Toronto’s CTV NEWS AT SIX. CTV Toronto also delivers TOY MOUNTAIN donation updates nightly through Friday, Dec. 18.

This year, the annual charitable toy collection proudly marks 25 years of helping families in need, bringing holiday smiles to children and teens across the GTA. TOY MOUNTAIN has set the goal of collecting 150,000 new, unwrapped toys this holiday season – with an emphasis on the greatest area of need: girls and boys aged 7-9, and youth aged 10-17. TOY MOUNTAIN invites the city to get into the spirit of the holidays by helping to achieve this goal.

CTV Toronto Weather Anchor Tom Brown proudly leads the TOY MOUNTAIN collection effort, delivering progress updates throughout the duration of the campaign on CTV NEWS AT SIX, Toronto’s most-watched evening news broadcast.

“Every year, thousands of families come to The Salvation Army during the Christmas season for a little extra help, and many of these families would not be able to receive this help without the generosity of the community and our partners,” said Major Rob Kerr, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations, The Salvation Army. “Over the last 25 years, The Salvation Army and CTV Toronto have joined together to raise awareness of poverty in the city and have worked to bring a little joy into children’s lives. CTV Toronto is a wonderful supporter of The Salvation Army and we are very grateful for their dedication in helping make sure that every child who comes to us will have a toy on Christmas morning. Together we are making a difference for thousands of families across the city.”

“I look forward to our TOY MOUNTAIN campaign every year, and I’m honoured to lead this wonderful campaign once again,” said Brown. “I’m always moved by the generosity of our viewers and can’t thank them enough for their incredible support of The Salvation Army.”

Viewers can track campaign updates by visiting the TOY MOUNTAIN website and by tuning in to CTV Toronto to catch Brown’s daily update. Brown brings the TOY MOUNTAIN campaign to a close on Friday Dec. 18.

TOY MOUNTAIN’s dedicated online portal features a list of drop-off locations, social media updates, and more. Supporters are able to make financial donations online and receive a tax receipt from The Salvation Army. Supporters can also text TOYS to 45678 to donate $10 or $25 to the campaign, and can receive social media updates by following @ToyMountain, @ctvtoymountain, and by liking the campaign’s Facebook page.

The annual TOY MOUNTAIN campaign is conducted through the longstanding partnership between CTV Toronto and The Salvation Army, with CTV Toronto driving promotional efforts and The Salvation Army leading collection and distribution logistics. TOY MOUNTAIN is made possible with the generous support of the campaign’s major sponsor, Toronto Area Ford Dealers.

To ensure the TOY MOUNTAIN campaign runs safely and successfully during the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign’s sorting facility is following strict health and safety protocols, including the use of PPE and health screening. All staff and volunteers will observe on-site protocols at donor and client sites. All toys donated will be left untouched for a minimum of 72 hours before being handled.