Paramedics, social workers fill ambulances with toys
For the past twelve years, people in Timmins have been packing ambulances with gifts during the 'Fill an Ambulance Toy Drive.'
The endeavour is a team effort, involving paramedics, Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board and North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services (NEOFACS).
Paramedics and social workers see firsthand the many children who go without at Christmas.
That's why they band together at this time of year to fill two ambulances with toys, personal care items, clothing and sporting goods and more.
For one day, they park one ambulance at Canadian Tire; and another at Walmart.
“I don’t think everybody sees how everybody’s living and what they get at Christmas time and throughout the year so... this program is great,” said Derrick Cremin, the local paramedic commander.
Last year, organizers achieved their goal – filling two ambulances – and collected over $4,000 in cash donations.
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
This year, they said the need is even greater due to the high cost of living and they expect to deliver gifts to more than 300 children, from infants all the way up to 18 years old.
“It’s such a hard time financially for everyone so families receiving gifts for their children helps tremendously," said Rachele Pelletier, the supervisor of prevention and volunteer services at NEOFACS.
People are also welcome to drop off unwrapped toys or cash donations at NEOFACS’ Timmins office on Ross Avenue East if they wish to contribute to the drive.
If people need any ideas of what to buy, organizers said they're always in short supply of baby items; as well as gifts for teens including board games, bedding and beauty products.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an 'innocent' couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other, Marie-Claude Bibeau, doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel's most wanted man.
Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.