McMaster Children’s Hospital Toy Drive: How Car Nation Canada Group Raised $10,000 for MacKids in Burlington
- Rick Paletta
- Dec 19, 2025
- 5 min read
Every holiday season, people in Burlington, Hamilton, and across Halton prove the same thing: community isn’t a slogan—it’s what you do when kids and families need support most.
On December 16, 2025, the Car Nation Canada Group (Car Nation Canada Direct + Unique Chrysler) proudly announced a $10,000 donation to MacKids, supporting McMaster Children’s Hospital’s annual Toy Drive. The campaign also brought in a huge collection of new toys, pajamas, and gift cards from customers, local partners, and neighbours across the region. Unique Chrysler+1
And on December 17, 2025, we were humbled to receive a note of recognition from the Office of Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, thanking everyone involved for supporting children and families in the Burlington community. Burlington+1
Key Takeaways
Car Nation Canada Group donated $10,000 to MacKids in support of the McMaster Children’s Hospital Toy Drive. Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation
The community also donated toys, pajamas, and gift cards, helping bring comfort and joy to young patients during the holidays.
Drop-offs were made easier through local partnerships and community locations across Burlington, Waterdown, Ancaster, and Oakville. Unique Chrysler
Our “3 C’s” (Community, Customer Service, Charity) are more than branding—they’re how we run our business and show up locally.
Why the McMaster Children’s Hospital Toy Drive Matters in Our Community
For families navigating hospital visits during the holidays, small moments of comfort can mean a lot. The McMaster Children’s Hospital Toy Drive supports that comfort—helping children feel seen, supported, and cared for while they’re receiving treatment.
MacKids is the fundraising team supporting pediatric care, research, equipment, and family-centred programs connected to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton. Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation+1
And because McMaster Children’s Hospital serves families across South Central Ontario, support from Burlington, Hamilton, Waterdown, and beyond truly reaches far. Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation
The 2025 Toy Drive: $10,000 Donated + A Huge Community Response
This year’s campaign was built on collective effort—customers, community partners, and local businesses leaning in to help.
Alongside the $10,000 donation, the community helped fill the Toy Drive with:
New toys (all ages)
Pajamas
Gift cards (a practical option for families and care teams)
Car Nation Canada Group also sends a big thank-you to partners who helped make this year’s drive even stronger—including community donation partners and supporting businesses who mobilized quickly during a busy season.
Local Partnership Spotlight: Peach Coffee Co. Drop-Off Locations
One of the reasons this year’s Toy Drive worked so well: convenience. People are more likely to participate when giving is simple.
In 2025, Unique Chrysler partnered with Peach Coffee Co. to offer donation drop-offs across:
Burlington
Waterdown
Ancaster
Oakville
Plus, drop-offs were available at our Burlington showrooms—making it easy for customers and neighbours to participate while they ran errands, grabbed coffee, or were already in the area. Unique Chrysler
What “Car Nation Canada’s 3 C’s” Looks Like in Real Life
We often say our brand identity is the 3 C’s: Community, Customer Service, and Charity. Here’s what that means from the inside—why it matters to us as owners and builders of Car Nation Canada.
Community: Built Here, Giving Back Here
We’re a family-owned business—born and raised in the Hamilton/Burlington area. What you see today is what we built, step-by-step, through hard work and the support of our local communities.
Community also means jobs. It means creating stable opportunities, hiring great people, and investing locally—because strong local businesses help build strong local cities.
Customer Service: People-First, Relationship-Driven
We believe a company is only as good as the people in it. Our approach is simple:
Hire the best people we can
Train, support, and invest in them
Create an environment where they’re proud of what they do
Happy, supported employees deliver better experiences—and over time, those experiences become the foundation of loyalty, repeat business, and referrals.
Charity: Doing What We Can, Consistently
There’s so much need in the world—but we focus on needs that are close to home, and causes that matter deeply to our team.
Our support for McMaster Children’s Hospital isn’t new. For more than a decade, we’ve been involved in Toy Drives and fundraising efforts—and we’ve even stepped in for specific hospital requests in the past (including a special request years ago for patient transport carts that helped move kids through the hospital with a bit more comfort and fun).
Why Local Recognition Matters (And Why We’re Grateful)
When the Mayor’s Office in Burlington takes the time to recognize a community fundraiser, it’s not just a “nice email.”
It’s a reminder that local impact is real—and noticed—and that community partnerships matter. Burlington’s Mayor and office are publicly listed through City channels, and we’re proud to be part of a city where local organizations, businesses, and residents show up for each other. Burlington+1
Want to Support McMaster Children’s Hospital Beyond the Holidays?
Toy Drives matter—but support is needed year-round. If you’re considering donating items or organizing a drive, Hamilton Health Sciences also provides guidance on donation drop-offs and reminders to help protect patients and staff. Hamilton Health Sciences
Conclusion: This Donation Belongs to the Community
The truth is, we don’t see this as “our” donation.
This $10,000 MacKids donation and the success of the McMaster Children’s Hospital Toy Drive belong to the people who participated—our customers, our team, our partners, and our neighbours across Burlington, Hamilton, and Halton.
If you supported the drive in any way: thank you. You helped create comfort and joy for children spending the holidays in hospital—and that’s something worth being proud of.
Want to be part of the next one? Keep an eye on our updates, drop-off announcements, and community partnerships each holiday season.
FAQ
What is MacKids?
MacKids supports pediatric care and programs connected to McMaster Children’s Hospital through fundraising and community initiatives. Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation
When did the 2025 Toy Drive run?
The 2025 campaign included drop-off opportunities running November 15 to December 15, with partner locations across Burlington-area communities. Unique Chrysler
Where is McMaster Children’s Hospital located?
McMaster Children’s Hospital is located at 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton. Hamilton Health Sciences
How can I donate if I miss the Toy Drive?
Many hospital foundations accept support beyond seasonal campaigns. Check MacKids/Hamilton Health Sciences updates for current programs and needs. Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation+1
Comments