Some local families in need will have a Merry Christmas this year thanks to the Back to ’90s Video Dance Party: Volume 2.
The video dance party event held at ODAS Park last month raised $14,000 for a local toy drive.
"That kind of money is just unreal," said organizer Derick Lehmann. "People love dancing, having a good time, and raising money."
On Saturday, Lehmann, his eight-year-old nephew Brody, and six-year-old niece Emma went on a shopping spree with the money to buy toys for children less fortunate.
"Who better to buy toys for kids than kids themselves? And they understood that we were buying the toys for other people," Lehmann said. "It was a nice little teaching moment but also really fun for them to help."
Lehmann spent around $1,100 at Giant Tiger plus an additional $1,000 in gift cards. He also spent $3,000 at Jack and Maddy's, $3,000 at December Sun, around $1,000 at MDM Liquidation, and $4,000 at Toys "R" Us in Barrie.
"Each place that we went to either gave us a discount or free items on top of what we bought to really help maximize the number of toys we were able to get," Lehmann explained.
Lehmann says it was important to him to spend the money locally.
"We wanted to support businesses who support other causes throughout the year," he said. "It's important to spend the money locally and give them a boost around Christmas time.
An additional $1,000 in gift certificates was donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia & District through the fundraiser, and $750 was donated to the Orillia Youth Centre for their Christmas Dinner.
All of the toys were donated to the 15th annual toy drive at TNT Fine Lingerie & Boutique in West Orillia.
"They have been doing it a long time," Lehmann said. "They sort out all of the toys and get them to the different families and organizations who need it."
For those who enjoyed dancing the night away at the fundraiser, Lehmann says it will return on Saturday, July 27.
"We are looking at doing an '80s, '90s, and now party which will be like a Hawaiian glow party," he said, noting that all funds raised will once again benefit a local charity.
For the latest information on Lehmann's next big event, follow him on Facebook by clicking here.
