County of Simcoe Paramedic Services has kicked off its 24th annual Food and Toy Drive, asking residents across the region to donate new toys, non-perishable food and money to help local families over the holidays.
The campaign, announced Friday, runs with outdoor drop boxes at county paramedic stations until Dec. 20, according to a County of Simcoe news release. Donations are also being accepted at the County of Simcoe Administration Centre at 1110 Highway 26 in Midhurst between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Over the past 23 years, the drive has gathered more than 139,634 toys, 97,650 pounds of food and roughly $333,750 in monetary and gift card donations, the county said.
All donations stay local
Every item and dollar raised stays within local communities, the county said, helping make sure families across Simcoe County can share in the holiday season.
Residents, businesses and community partners are encouraged to give new, unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items or monetary contributions. Online donations are being accepted through CanadaHelps.
The drive has run for nearly a quarter century and, in the county's words, has shown that when everyone gives a little, a lot of good gets done for neighbours in need.
How to give
Donors can drop off items at the Midhurst administration centre during business hours or at any participating County of Simcoe Paramedic Station, where outdoor collection boxes are available until Dec. 20.
Up-to-date donation and event details are posted at simcoe.ca/toydrive.
The County of Simcoe is made up of 16 member municipalities and provides paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia, meaning donations from those cities also flow through the county-run drive.
