The spirit of the season was on full display on Saturday during Langley United Soccer Association’s first annual food and toy drive.
The local soccer association set up at Willoughby Community Park where they raised $455 in donations, as well as boxes full of food and toys, with all of that going to the Langley Food Bank.
And one of the highlights of the day was the actions of Rianna Brar, a little girl who plays in the association’s U6 program. Rianna donated all of her birthday presents for the toy drive.
In an email to the soccer association, her mom Mandeep Brar said that as soon as Rianna heard about the toy drive, she quickly offered up her birthday gifts.
“We were more than happy to have her associate this experience with her soccer league,” the email said.
“On Saturday, she was so excited to pack up the truck and drop the toys off.
“We were a bit nervous of what her reaction would be after all the toys were gone. We are happy to say that she has not stopped talking about how happy she thinks the children will be when they get all these new toys.
“Her excitement has been so overwhelming for our family; we are proud of her and her desire to want to help others.”
Rianna was awarded one of the Vancouver Whitecaps ticket packages that the Langley United Soccer Association was giving away to families who donated to the drive.
Miranda Gathercole/Langley Times
Aiden McDonald, 9, and Marcus Stang, 9, helped members of the Langley United Soccer Association collect hundreds of toys and food for families in need at Willoughby Community Park on Saturday.