Living World Church’s Christmas Toy Drive

Started

2014

Founder

Minister and pastor Ian Zaldivar

Each year, the Living World Church (LWC) hosts a toy drive, providing toys and food for underprivileged children and families during Christmas.

Raised

Over 1,000,000 BZD

Started

2010

The beginning

Located in San Pedro, Belize, LWC was founded by minister and pastor, Ian Zaldivar, and his wife, Lourdes Zaldivar, holding Sunday service and hosting various events throughout the year.

In 2010, Pastor Ian met Joel who, along with board members of the church, was able to help realize the minister’s dream of creating an annual toy drive, as a way to give back to the community.

Toys bring happiness

The goal of the initiative is to help less fortunate families through the holiday, providing them with food baskets and giving away quality toys. Throughout the years, Pastor Ian has successfully helped thousands of families to have a happier Christmas.

Christmas is the perfect time to share and celebrate with others by showing love and support to those around you.

LWC, ECI, Caye International Bank and Joel are proud to be able to support such an incredible cause that helps to bring that joy to those families in need at what should be the most wonderful time of the year.

Vulnerability and social responsibility

Joel is dedicated to giving back to the community, having himself experienced hardships throughout his life. Growing up in poverty and without a father motivated him to create positive change in the world.

Joel’s empathetic approach towards social responsibility has impacted many less fortunate families throughout the years. He himself has said that, “Making sure these children get a toy at Christmas is personal” (The San Pedro Sun).

Toys drive funds

Over the past 14 years, LWC’s annual toy drive has brought over 1,000,000 BZD of happiness and comfort to the lives of less fortunate families. Credit goes to many volunteers from different parts of Belize and various donors ranging from clients, shareholders and friends of Caye International Bank and ECI Development.

Toy Drive events throughout the years

2023

Money Raised – 77,316 BZD
Toys Gifted – 1500
Food Baskets Handed – 100
Location – The Angel Nuñez Auditorium

The toy drive was located at The Angel Nuñez Auditorium, which took place on December 23. 77,316 BZD was raised in donations for the event, helping to supply over 100 food baskets and a record number of 1,500 toys.

2023

2022

Money Raised – 100,000 BZD
Toys Gifted – 1700
Food Baskets Handed – 150
Location – Ambergris Caye

Contributions grew, and on December 23, donations reached an amazing 100,000 BZD to assist the church in their noble endeavors. Volunteers gave out 150 large food baskets that year along with 1,200 toys to children, in addition to 500 small toys during a Christmas caroling event.

2022

2021

Money Raised – 74,000 BZD
Toys Gifted – 1000
Food Baskets Handed – 125
Location – Ambergris Caye

The start of the pandemic was a difficult period for everyone. Many people couldn’t afford to celebrate the holidays. The Toy Drive took place on December 20, with a phenomenal 74,000 BZD made through donations. Approximately 1,000 kids received toys and 125 food baskets were provided in Ambergris Caye.

2021

2020

Money Raised – 60,000 BZD
Toys Gifted – 1000

It was a Covid-safe Christmas for over 1,000 children this year, with over 60,000 BZD donated to provide families from underprivileged backgrounds with toys, food baskets and supplies on December 18 – supported also by Customs & Excise, the San Pedro Police Formation and members of the Elections and Boundaries, National Emergency Management Team.

2020

2019

Money Raised – 43,500 BZD
Toys Gifted – 1500
Location – Hnr. Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex.

An incredible 1,500 underprivileged children were treated this year on December 23 at the Hnr. Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex. Donations reaching 43,500 BZD helped to purchase toys from Mirab Department Store in Belize City, as well as San Pedro-based local stores A&R and Caye Supplies.

2019

2018

Money Raised – 33,000 BZD
Toys Gifted – 1100
Location – Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex

Many families and children were present at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex, with a total of 1,100 toys handed out to all the children in the community. That year, 33,000 BZD was raised.

2018