Weasel’s Holiday Toy Drive 2009

by WestCoast Weasel
November 23, 2009

Toys are fun and should be accessible to everyone. This holiday season we’re gearing up to help make this a reality for numerous lower mainland children (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, etc). We invite you to take a few minutes of your time to show your support to help the kids. With your help WestCoastWeasel.com and friends will purchase toys/books that will be distributed amongst low-income families via The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. This provides an opportunity to see where our money and hard work goes. Photos of every single toy will be posted online to showcase our success and your dedication.

First, second and third prizes will be awarded to the top three contributors as well as a random prize draw. This provides a potential win/win situation for everyone involved (in case providing toys isn’t enough already). The highest contributor has his/her choice of Grand Prize Pack #1 or #2. The second highest will receive the other Grand Prize Pack. The third highest will receive Prize Pack #3. We will do a random draw for its prize pack. PRIZES ARE SUBJECT TO IMPROVE FURTHER.

Grand Prize Pack #1

Shout Out Out Out – Integration Time (double 12” vinyl) w/ free album download [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
Chadio & Aalo Guha – Underestimated Raindrops (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Liquid Amber Tattoo – Red Zip Hoodie (large) [courtesy of Liquid Amber Tattoo]
Beatstreet Records – $20 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Grand Prize Pack #2

Weezer – Raditude (180gram 12” vinyl) [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
LBSC – t-shirt (w/ free MP3 download of new album Smoke Alarm Charm) [courtesy of artist]
Equinox Skate and Apparel – t-shirt (size of your choice) [courtesy of Equinox]
Liquid Amber Tattoo – $20 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Prize Pack #3
Why? – Eskimo Snow (12” vinyl) [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
Manta Ray-Gun – Spirokeet (cassette) + t-shirt (medium) [courtesy of artist]
LBSC – s/t (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Red Cat Records -$10 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Random Prize Draw:

Chadio & Aalo Guha – Underestimated Raindrops (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Itunes – $15 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Additional prize donations are welcomed as an alternative to financial contribution, to provide incentive for those in a position to contribute monetarily. If you’re in a band, have a clothing company, or are an artist and would like to donate a prize; that is a wonderful way of showing support and getting your product out there. We will also ensure credit / link on the website and Facebook results page. Please get in touch ASAP.

There’s various ways to support this drive, not limited to a financial contribution. Here’s three main ways you can help us, help them:

1.    monetary donation (Min: $5 Max: n/a – Maximum donation will be matched by WestCoastWeasel.com up to a maximum of $150)
2.    prize donation (music, art, clothing or something equally appropriate)
3.    WORD OF MOUTH (if you are unable/uninterested in donating, you may know someone who does. This form of support is equally as important)

Donations can be made on or before December 16, 2009. Cash donations will be accepted at Noshit- Arts and Crafts, Show and Sale @ The Gam Gallery (Dec 12-13) or by contacting me directly (see below).

We accept credit card payments using our secure, online Pay-Pal system. You do not need a Pay-Pal account.

DONATIONS ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTED. TOY DRIVE HAS ENDED.

NOTE: The form will require an email address and phone number. Feel free to put fake or old information if you don’t want that information in our records. However, your address must be entered as it appears on your credit card bill. Be sure to print your tax deductible receipt when given the option, otherwise it will be found in your valid email inbox.

F.A.Q

Q: Why toys? Isn’t shelter and food more important?

A: While food/shelter are vital, there are already numerous programs focusing on these necessities. Here’s a few links if you’d like to show them your support as well.
http://www.foodbank.bc.ca/main/?help
https://secure.salvationarmy.ca/registrant/tribute.aspx?EventID=8102&LangPref=en-CA
http://www.cfox.com/SantaFox2009.aspx
http://thebeat.com/post/4547
We are focusing on sharing joy, by the means of entertainment and/or education, which is appropriate considering what we do here at WestCoastWeasel.com.

Q: I’m not Christian and/or don’t support the materialistic angle of Christmas.
A: Neither are we. We are non denominational. This is a “holiday season” toy drive. Providing toys to under privileged children, in our opinion shouldn’t violate the scrooge like stance that one may carry. We are not suggesting rings or vacations for that “special someone.” We’re buying toys and/or books for kids. We don’t believe this is the only time of year people should be socially conscious or donating, though it would surely be the most successful.

Q: What is WestCoastWeasel.com contributing?
A: Weasel (Steve Roland) will match the highest donation, up to a maximum of $150. Prizes (CD’s, vinyl and/or merch) will also be purchased as incentive for generous donators. WestCoastWeasel.com is currently a non-profit organization and this one person’s personal contribution.

Q: What stores will be receiving our hard earned money?
A: Both locally owned/operated toy stores (Granville Island Toy Company, Kaboodles, The Toybox, etc) as well as Canadian chain stores (London Drugs, Toys R’ Us) will be scouted to ensure a balance of unique, affordable and valuable selections. US and/or International companies such as Wal-Mart or IKEA will not be considered.

Q: What is the price range of each toy?
A: We feel that a $5 minimum and $15 maximum is appropriate to ensure we can get as many valuable toys as possible. For example, if we raise $300 that is a minimum of twenty children we help have a brighter day.

Q: How does the random prize draw work? When will prizes be awarded?
A: Every donation will be tracked with a unique number and a number will be drawn at random after the campaign closes. All prizes will be awarded in the first week of January.

We welcome any questions/concerns and/or constructive suggestions. Let’s keep the spirit positive. If you are interested in a banner exchange (you advertise us, we advertise you) feel free to contact me.

“We don’t cease to play because we grow old, we grow old because we cease to play.” – G.B Shaw

Thank you,

Steve “Weasel” Roland
westcoastweasel@gmail.com
778-846-3945

PLEASE VISIT OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS. THANK YOU…