Sparky's Toy Drive: how Windsor families can register for gifts

Sparky's Toy Drive registration, for low-income Windsor families with kids 0-13: Nov. 14: Gino & Liz Marcus Complex Nov. 15: Forest Glade Arena Nov. 21: Hotel-Dieu Grace (morning only) Bring photo ID, kids' health cards or birth records and your latest CCB statement.

By Kyle L. Stewart | Published Nov. 1, 2026, 10:05 a.m. ET | Windsor, Ontario

Topics: Community

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Sparky's Toy Drive, the Windsor Firefighters Benefit Fund's holiday gift program, has posted its 2026 registration sessions for families who need help with the cost of Christmas gifts.

Registration is in person. Families attend one session only and cannot register at more than one location.

Who can register

The drive is for low-income families, based on government guidelines, with children ages 0 to 13. Families must live in the City of Windsor. Families outside the city are asked to contact their local fire service.

Where and when

Nov. 14: Gino & Liz Marcus Community Complex, 1168 Drouillard Rd., 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Nov. 15: Forest Glade Arena, 3205 Forest Glade Dr., 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Nov. 21: Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (Brown Gym), 1453 Prince Rd., 9 a.m. to noon. There is no afternoon session.

What to bring

The drive lists three required documents:

Valid government-issued photo ID for the parent or guardian registering, such as a driver's licence, Ontario photo card, passport, permanent resident card or citizenship card.

A valid health card or birth record or certificate for every child being registered. The parent or guardian must present the original.

Your most recent Canada Child Benefit statement, showing household income and the children's names.

The organizers ask everyone planning to register to check sparkystoydrivewindsor.com before going, in case the requirements change.

How to help

New toys can be dropped off at City of Windsor fire halls, and the drive's website lists retail drop-off spots as well. Organizers say toys worth about $20 to $25 let them give more items to each child. Toys and other merchandise do not get a tax receipt.

Cash donations go through the Windsor Fire Fighters' Benefit Fund's Sparky's Toy Drive page on CanadaHelps, which issues tax receipts. The drive is run by volunteers.