Paramedics from Cochrane District EMS, some of their colleagues from the District Social Services Administration Board and other volunteers spent Saturday collecting toys and other items for needy families this Christmas season. It included baby clothes, diapers and other essentials. They were set up at Walmart and CAnadian Tire
When Moose FM and mytimminsnow.com visited Canadian Tire late in the morning, they had already collected several toys and cash donations, all of which will go to NEOFACS – Northeastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services. In keeping with the name of the event, they were trying to “Fill A Crib, Fill An Ambulance”.
Once they stuffed a crib with toys and other needs for kids up to 16 years old, they transferred it into an ambulance and started over again.
Photo credit: Bob McIntyre, Moose FM
Cash donations were also accepted. At Canadian Tire, Canadian Tire money was gladly accepted, and was converted into toys at the end of the ten-hour collection.
One particular type of toy is always in every Cochrane District EMS ambulance. As part of their regular equipment, paramedics always have at least one stuffed toy in each ambulance.
Primary care medic Allan Rennie explains that they come in handy when they’re on a call involving children – either as patients, or with parents who are sick or injured.
“So we carry those onboard, just in case we do come across a child who’s nervous coming in the back (of the ambulance),” he says. “It works really well, it really calms people down, especially even parents. They appreciate it as well.”
Monday morning, NEOFACS will accept the goods collected by the paramedics and their friends. If you missed them on Saturday at Walmart or Canadian Tire, NEOFACS is accepting donations until Christmas.