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Local couple provides comfort to sick children and abandoned pets (4 photos)

Have you ever wondered where the stuffed animal your child received at the hospital or in the ambulance came from?

Most local children and parents likely remember receiving a teddy bear from a nurse or paramedic at some point, but they probably don’t know where those teddy bears came from originally.

Fran and AJ Zimmerman have always been concerned with the health and wellness of others. Fran is a Medical Admin/Physician Recruiter with Timmins & District Hospital, while AJ is a retired paramedic from the Cochrane District EMS.

It was at his job 27 years ago that AJ first had the idea to start a teddy bear program for kids experiencing medical emergencies.

“We didn’t have anything to comfort the kids on the ambulance,” AJ says.

The program started small, AJ says. Early on, they brought in 50 to 100 gently used stuffed animals per year, mostly through yard sale purchases.

Now they bring in 50 to 100 every month, and have expanded the program to include children in the emergency room, too.

Still, this means some kids have to go without. Just over 3700 children attended the emergency room at Timmins and District Hospital in 2017, according to hospital statistics.

“So many people and businesses have kept my program open over the years,” AJ says. “I wouldn't have a program if not for all the generous people.”

One such person is Shelly Rochon, a local mom and an employee with Air Canada. In 2017, she organized a teddy bear drive that resulted in over $2000 worth of new stuffed animals being donated to the teddy bear program.

“My granddaughter visited Sick Kids of Western Ontario and the children there received Fisher Price toys, bears, etc.,” says Rochon. “I thought maybe I could get some donations for new bears. I feel they are great quality and very comforting in a time of need.”

Fran and AJ are amazed by the program’s staying power.

“We are also seeing children who have received a stuffed animal in the past paying it forward with donations of stuffed animals from their own collections with the understanding that they are for other children to help them feel better,” Fran says.

When they’re not busy collecting and donating fake furry friends to the hospital, Fran and AJ are making sure real furry friends are comfortable, too.

As volunteers at the Timmins & District Humane Society, Fran and AJ help ensure the shelter is well maintained and clean for the animals and staff. They help with animal transfers to and from the shelter, and organize fundraising activities.

“It’s impossible to explain the devotion AJ and Fran have for the shelter or to try to put a number value to the time and money they’ve put into this place through the years,” says Alicia Santamaria, Manager of the Timmins & District Humane Society. “What they do for local animals is immeasurable and it’s hard to imagine TDHS without them. Thank you a million times, Fran and AJ.”

But Fran and AJ say they get all the thanks they need from the animals themselves.

“Shelter animals have a sense of who is helping them, and it is so rewarding to pet and comfort a scared cat or dog and to feel them respond with a wagging tail or a purr,” Fran says.

The couple say they will continue to devote time and energy to causes that are “close to our heart,” and they invite others to do the same.

“More people should volunteer and give of their time,” Fran says. “It is extremely gratifying to help your community and make Timmins a better place.”