A Train Derailment Changed Everything. Here’s How You Can Help.

In November 2025, a train derailment destroyed our entire Canadian holiday shipment of Joeydolls. The railcar holding our container was crushed beyond recovery. Nothing inside survived. It was shocking.

For parents who are just discovering us, Joeydolls creates soft, safe, and culturally authentic dolls that help kids feel proud of where they come from. Our dolls are loved by families raising inclusive kids and wanting toys that reflect real culture, real identity, and real joy. So this loss was more than something financial. It felt personal.

A train derailment on a CN Rail line crushed the railcar carrying our container. Every single Joeydoll meant for families across Canada was inside. Holiday restocks. New product launches. Dolls meant for classrooms. Dolls meant for first birthdays and festive gifting. Dolls meant to help kids feel seen during a season that often celebrates everything except their culture.

The container was destroyed. The shipment was unsalvageable. Our small family business instantly lost nearly $50K already paid in production and shipping, plus over $200K in expected holiday revenue. And that was only the beginning. Behind those numbers is the real story. Families waiting for representation. Parents excited to gift a doll that looked like their child. Teachers hoping to bring inclusive toys to their students. Losing that mattered deeply.

We are doing absolutely everything we can. This week we drove down to our U.S. warehouse, picked up Canadian orders manually, and brought them home to Toronto so we can ship them ourselves. We tightened expenses. We applied for grants. We kept designing. We kept emailing. We kept going. We stayed hopeful.

In 2025 Joeydolls received recognitions like the Startup Canada Global Pitch Competition, the High Five Grant for Moms, and the YSpace ELLA Ascend Accelerator program. These moments reminded us that representation in toys matters and that families care deeply about inclusive toys.

On December 5, Global News helped share our story with the community, and we’re truly grateful. The segment shows how the train derailment affected our holiday shipment, what it means for our mission, and how we’re continuing to move forward with hope. Watch the segment below:

Representation is not a bonus. It is essential. And for many families, the holidays are one of the few moments where gifts can celebrate identity and spark cultural pride. Losing our shipment meant losing those opportunities. Losing the chance for a child to hold a doll that looks like them. Losing momentum in a world still battling colorism and anti-Asian racism. Representation matters so much.

This is why Joeydolls exists. We are here to bring joyful, culturally authentic dolls into homes where kids deserve to feel seen. Every doll we create shows the beauty of Asian culture in a soft, snuggly, and emotionally meaningful way. When the train derailment hit, it wasn’t only a financial hit. It was a setback for representation in toys.

When the train derailment happened, we honestly didn’t know how we were going to move forward. It felt like everything we had been building for years suddenly cracked open in front of us. But then something incredible happened. Our community stepped in with so much heart. Families sent us messages full of encouragement, love, and hope. Parents told us they believe in our mission. Small business owners reached out with empathy because they know how deeply a loss like this hits. People donated, shared our story, and sent kind words that we’ll never forget.

Your messages reminded us that representation matters and that we are not doing this work alone.

Some families told us they shared our story with their networks. Others said they placed an order simply to help us get through this season. Some donated even when times were tight. Some sent emotional support, prayers, or positive vibes. And many said the same thing: “We’re here for you.”

Those words mean more than we can ever explain.

Your support has helped us turn heartbreak into momentum. It helped us get out of survival mode and into rebuilding mode. It encouraged our tiny team to keep designing culturally authentic dolls that help kids feel proud of who they are. It reminded us that Joeydolls is a community effort, not just a business. And it gave us strength during a moment when we needed it the most.

We’re rebuilding because you chose to stand with us.
We’re still here because you believe representation deserves a place in every home and classroom.
And we’re moving forward with so much gratitude in our hearts.

Thank you for giving us the courage to keep going. Thank you for helping us rise after something so unexpected. Thank you for helping us bring Joeydolls back into children’s hands.

There is absolutely no pressure. The holidays are expensive for so many families. But if you do want to support our small business recovery, our goal is to raise $7,000 CAD to help us recover from this loss. Here are a few meaningful ways you can help:

• Donate in any amount
• Share this fundraiser with your network
• Shop what is still available
• Connect us with schools or retailers looking for representation-focused products

Ever dollar we earn goes back into creating more representation for kids. In 2026, we had planned for 4 new dolls - Hmong girl, Thai girl, Filipino boy and Chinese boy. This loss is huge for us. 

Joeydolls isn't a big company, but a mom at her desk late at night, a basement filled with boxes, and hands carefully packing each order with hope and purpose. This is what our mission looks like when the cameras are off.

Every doll we create begins in moments like these - quiet work, personal sacrifice, and a belief that representation matters for every child. So when the derailment destroyed our entire shipment, it wasn’t just products that were lost. It was months of planning, nights away from family, and the excitement of creating four new dolls for 2026 - dreams we’ve held onto for so long.

Seeing these photos now, during such a difficult moment, reminds me why we keep going. Why we fight to rebuild. Because this isn’t just a business - it’s a mission woven into our everyday lives, our home, and our hearts.

Even though our holiday shipment was lost, we still have a small collection of dolls and gifts that help keep our mission moving forward.

• Right now we’re offering up to 20% off our limited-time gift bundles so families can bring home joy while supporting our rebuild
• We’re also giving 20% off our beloved Baby Cuddles, the softest little lovies made for tiny hands and big hearts.
• You’ll even find 25% off our most loved apparel and stickers, perfect for kids who want to show their pride in a fun, expressive way. 

Every item you choose, every bundle you gift, and every doll that finds a new home helps children feel seen, valued, and proud while spreading cultural joy wherever they play. 

If you want first access to restocks, behind the scenes updates, and rebuilding progress, our VIP list is the best place to be! We share honest updates and community wins and we bring you along as we recover from the train derailment and continue celebrating culture with joy. Come join us!