Local agencies are looking to the community to help fill an ambulance this weekend.
The 11th Annual Fill an Ambulance Toy Drive is on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Canadian Tire and Walmart.
Cochrane District EMS and Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) staff will be collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys, gifts or cash. The items will be donated to the North Eastern Ontario Children's Foundation to support children in need receiving services from the North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services (NEOFACS).
“We hope to fill the ambulances with toys and donations for our community’s children and youth who are in need. With the rising cost of living creating additional stressors, families struggling to make ends meet need our support more than ever,” said Derrick Cremin, Cochrane District EMS commander, in a news release.
“Our community has always answered our call and helped us surpass our goal. Last year, we collected over $5,000 in cash and the ambulances were overflowing with donations.”
The donations are for people up to the age of 18 years. Items for babies and teens are always in demand and in short supply.
“Toys for kids are always welcomed but there is also a demand for items to meet the basic needs of older youth who are living independently or preparing to transition to adulthood such as household start-up items," said Carole Hart, NEOFACS program supervisor for special projects.
For more information or if you are unable to make the toy drive and want to donate, contact Cremin at 705-268-7722 ext. 287 or email [email protected].
