9th Annual “Fill An Ambulance Toy Drive” Looking To Fill Children’s Wishes This Holiday Season
Cochrane District EMS and Staff from CDSSAB Put Out A Call for Community Support
TIMMINS, ON, November 19, 2020 – The Cochrane District EMS (Emergency Medical Services), along with staff from the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) are inviting everyone to their 9th Annual Toy Drive taking place in Timmins on Saturday, November 28, 2020. Donations of new, unwrapped toys, gifts or cash donations can be made from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the parking lots of both Canadian Tire and Walmart.
The community is encouraged to come out and help fill an ambulance in front of the main entrance doors at Walmart and at Canadian Tire with gifts for children and youth.
There is always a demand and short supply of baby and teen items. The type of gifts most needed and requested are items for babies, such as diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, bottles, onesies, and toys for infants and babies, as well as items for tweens and teens, such as electronics, hygiene and beauty products, hoodies, backpacks, books, board games, and sporting goods.
“We hope to fill the ambulance with new, unwrapped toys or donations for our community’s children and youth who are in need. We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone,” said Derrick Cremin, Cochrane District EMS Commander. “Our community has always answered our call and helped us reach and surpass our goal.”
The collected items from this event will be delivered to North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS). The donations will be distributed through NEOFACS’ Christmas Angel Campaign to children and youth, aged 0 to 18 years, throughout the region who are in need this holiday season.
The campaign is more important than ever, since the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional challenges and stressors for families. Those in need will require the community’s help more than ever this year.
“We are so thankful for the generosity from our community and to the CDSSAB and Cochrane District EMS for the work that goes into organizing and hosting such an event,” said Carole Hart, Program Supervisor for Special Projects at NEOFACS. “The donations we receive from this toy drive go towards helping hundreds of infants, children and youth right here in our community. Due to the challenging times and the uncertainty of the pandemic, we know that, now, more than ever, our community needs us.”
With some additional precautions, the community can participate in making the holidays brighter for those in need. COVID-19 protocols will be in place to safeguard everyone, including placing the donated items in quarantine, cleaning and limited handling protocols.
For more information or for anyone who is unable to attend the event but would still like to make a donation, please contact Derrick Cremin, Cochrane District EMS Commander, at 705-268-7722 ext. 287 or creminde@cdssab.on.ca. To learn more about NEOFACS’ Christmas Angel Campaign, please visit https://www.neofacs.org/christmasangel.
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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