91原创 singer-songwriter Nikita Graham was pleasantly surprised by the response to the first-ever From Your Heart Christmas Toy Drive.
Held Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Punch Out Parkinson鈥檚 wellness centre and Box2Fit gym in 91原创, the event, organized by Graham, filled a table with about 200 toys and drew a 鈥渇ew hundred鈥� people to drop by for festive music, a photo-op with Santa, facepainting, and more.

The first 'From your heart' Christmas toy drive drew a good response in 91原创 on Saturday.

鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)

鈥淚t was amazing,鈥� a delighted Graham told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Inspired by 鈥淔rom Your Heart,鈥� a song she wrote for her children, the event also represented a continuation of a family tradition of helping for Graham.
鈥淚鈥檝e kind of grown up with a family that tried to always give back,鈥� Graham recalled.
鈥淕rowing up, we used to sponsor families at Christmas time, and then we would go and feed the homeless people and do stuff like that. So as a kid, that was kind of ingrained into my life.鈥�
In the song, Graham sings 鈥淲hen winter is cold, we can shine our light/Stand up for each other by doing what鈥檚 right/When we make a new friend, we can lend them a helping hand.鈥�

She wanted her kids, son Lexon and daughter Avairess, to know 鈥渢his is something we do as a family every year.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to also give back. And my little guy, you know, he鈥檚 only two-and-a-half, so he鈥檚 at the age where he kind of gets it, kind of doesn鈥檛, but we鈥檝e been talking about it a lot,鈥� Mom said.
鈥淲e always try to have little goody bags and stuff in the car, and we鈥檒l hand [people in need] some snacks or things like that.鈥�
All of the items donated at the Saturday toy drive 鈥搉ew unwrapped toy and non-perishables 鈥� will be distributed by Options Community Services, which helps families and individuals in need in 91原创, Surrey, White Rock, and Delta.
Graham, who is working on an album of children鈥檚 songs, is planning to hold another toy drive next year.
Frankie La Sasso, co-founder of Punch Out Parkinson鈥檚, was on hand for the donation drive on Saturday.
鈥淢ore than anything, it鈥檚 for the community to get together and and help those in need by bringing a toy and helping children鈥� by bringing a gift for someone who might not be able to afford one,鈥� said La Sasso.