Ideal Supply brings holiday cheer to SickKids

Ideal Supply is trying to bring some holiday cheer to children and their families.

On Nov. 25, the auto parts distributor and electrical supplier partnered with Shell Lubricants to raise donations for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. In the end, thousands of dollars in gifts were donated to help make kids and their families who will spend Christmas away from home a little easier.

Over a six-month period, Ideal Supply customers who grew their purchases of Shell lubricants would get the chance to head to Toronto for a special event. With some dinners included, the customers who made the trek were given spending money to shop and buy gifts in the city to be donated. But the customers then decided to go above and beyond as they spent their own money to add to the toy collection that was delivered to the hospital.

“There were over $9,000 in gifts provided that will go towards the hospital toy drive,” said Peter Mackie, marketing co-ordinator at Ideal Supply in Listowel, Ont.

It was the first time Ideal Supply has donated to SickKids. They typically donate to local charities but the company decided to add to their giving initiatives this year. Mackie said that when word got around about the program, customers responded by making sure they did what they could to be part of it.

“Thank you to our clients and Shell who embraced the true spirit of Christmas and will make Christmas morning a little brighter for someone who will not be home for the holidays,” said John MacDonald, Ideal Supply’s vice president of sales and marketing.

In all, 38 people participated in the weekend event with more gifts dropped off than the bins could hold.