For immediate release
November 23, 2022
11TH ANNUAL “FILL AN AMBULANCE” TOY DRIVE LOOKING TO FILL HOLIDAY WISHES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Cochrane District EMS and Staff from CDSSAB Put Out a Call for Community Support
TIMMINS, ON – The Cochrane District EMS, along with staff from the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB), is inviting everyone to their 11th Annual “Fill an Ambulance” Toy Drive taking place in Timmins on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Donations of new, unwrapped toys, gifts or cash donations can be made from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in front of the main entrance doors of both Canadian Tire and Walmart.
The community is encouraged to come out and help fill an ambulance with gifts for children and youth aged 0 to 18+ years old. There is always a demand and short supply of baby and teen items. The type of gifts most needed and requested are diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, onesies, bottles, baby formula and infant toys, as well as electronics, craft supplies, board games, sporting goods, toboggans and sleds, hygiene and beauty products, clothing, pyjamas, bedding, towels, and kitchen items.
“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. “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 collected donations will be provided to the North Eastern Ontario Children’s Foundation to support children and youth in need who are receiving services from North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) through the Christmas Angel Campaign.
“With the donations received each year, we are able to fulfill the wish lists for hundreds of children and youth,” said Carole Hart, Program Supervisor for Special Projects at NEOFACS. “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.”
The support the campaign receives through the toy drive makes a significant difference, right here in the community. The campaign is about more than providing gifts, it's about providing children, youth, and their families with hope and support during the holidays.
“We know that times can be challenging, but the spirit of the holidays is realized through the thoughtfulness and generosity of many. Caring for kids is our collective responsibility and the toy drive lets our community know that help is available and no one is alone,” said Hart. “We are so thankful for the ongoing generosity from our community and to the Cochrane District EMS and CDSSAB for the success of this annual event.”
For more information or for anyone who is unable to attend the toy drive but would still like to donate, please contact Derrick Cremin, Cochrane District EMS Commander, at 705-268-7722 ext. 287 or creminde@cdssab.on.ca. To learn more about the Christmas Angel Campaign, please visit https://www.neofacs.org/christmasangel.
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About North Eastern Ontario Children’s Foundation:
The North Eastern Ontario Children’s Foundation is a registered charity that shapes and improves the lives of children and youth from all backgrounds throughout the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming by supporting them in experiences that would otherwise be unattainable due to financial considerations. The Foundation raises funds to support innovative and urgently-needed programs and services that are not government-funded for North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS). To learn more, please visit https://www.neofacs.org/foundation.
About NEOFACS:
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is an integrated agency, providing services to children, youth and their families in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming. Our client-responsive programs and services are innovative, evidence-based, and designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve. Our Agency provides Child Welfare, Child and Youth Mental Health, Youth Justice, and Prevention programs, along with a number of other programs and services. To learn more, please visit https://www.neofacs.org.
For additional information, please contact:
Cochrane District EMS
Derrick Cremin
District EMS Commander
705-268-7722 ext. 287
creminde@cdssab.on.ca
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services
Mélanie Watson
Communications Coordinator
705-360-2121
melanie.watson@neofacs.org