Smiles were the common theme Sunday morning at Toys "R" Us in south-Barrie.
Herb’s Secret Santa is a private shopping spree designed to bring comfort and joy to brighten the lives of critically or chronically ill children and their families, sponsored by Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada.
“If you look around this room you see all the kids’ smiles. And you see the parents’ smiles. The parents are smiling because the kids are smiling. It warms your heart,” said Lorrie Rimmer of Barrie, there with husband Marc and their children Ayvah, 2, and Finnley, who’s 8.
Finnley has an extremely rare genetic condition. He is non-verbal and non-mobile.
“So he requires assistance with pretty much all aspects of daily life activities,” Lorrie said. “But when he’s on the floor, he can crawl around, play with toys. He’s an incredibly happy little boy.”
Both Marc and Lorrie praised Starlight and Toys "R" Us for the event.
“I think it’s a great foundation and so many families get to benefit from being together and striving together, and really pick up on the community,” Marc said.
“You feel the sense of community in the room,” Lorrie said. “You’re in a room full of other families just like yours, so you feel a sense of community with other families that are similar to yours. If you look around and see all the smiles you know that’s because of Starlight and Toys "R" Us.
“You don’t feel so lonely,” she said.
Lorrie said Christmas can be a difficult time of the year.
“It can be, I mean when you have a kid that has different needs than most,” she said. “Christmas season can be tricky with all the different events you have to go to, the gatherings and gift giving and trying to figure out what to get him. It can be challenging some years.
“He’s not playing with typical things that most 8-year-olds do,” Lorrie said. “We’re focusing on building those high motor skills, growing motor skills, as opposed to just focusing on play.
“You’re also focusing on what is he going to benefit from? It can be tricky.”
Starlight children and their siblings each received gift cards to shop for their dream toys in a magical atmosphere Sunday, with Santa Claus, superheroes, princesses, Star Wars characters and others there to help spread holiday cheer.
About 50 families took part in Barrie’s event.
It is held at 11 stores across Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec for about 750 families.
Herb’s Secret Santa began nine years ago in Montreal, inspired by Ross Paperman in honour of his late father, Herb Paperman. This year marks the fourth time the event has been hosted nationally.
