Starlight brings smiles to kids with serious illnesses during private Toys“R”Us shopping event in Ottawa

Families of children living with serious illnesses were treated to a special shopping event inside the Nepean Toys”R”Us. Dec. 14, 2025 (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)

For a few hours Sunday morning, an Ottawa Toys“R”Us was filled with laughter, excitement and racing shopping carts.

The Starlight Children’s Foundation partnered with the store to host a private shopping event on Sunday, giving nearly 50 children living with serious illnesses and their families exclusive access to the store before it opened to the public.

Kids were invited to explore aisles, pick out toys and enjoy a break from their routines of hospital visits and medical appointments.

The foundation says the goal of the event is to create positive experiences for families during challenging times.

“A lot of these families, their day to day is hospitals. It’s a lot of hardships,” the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada’s Isabelle Amoakao said.

“This is just a time for them to come around, smile, have that time with their families, and again, just be free.”

Each child and their siblings were given a $50 gift card each to spend.

“We’re doing this nationwide, so the kids are coming in, a very VIP experience while the store is closed,” Amoakao adds.

“They’re getting gift cards, and they get to shop around and again, with their families just experiencing a little bit of holiday magic.”

The event is held in eight stores across Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, bringing memories to over 750 families during a season when they need it more.

This marks the 27^th year of the partnership between Toys“R”Us Canada and Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada. Together, they’ve raised more than $30 million for the charity.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App