County of Simcoe Paramedic Services are heading into the final weekend of their 15th annual Toy Drive.
So far they've collected 2,510 toys, 2,755 lbs of food, and more than $7,606 in cash and gift cards.
They picked up a large collection of donations Friday at the Simcoe County Museum to deliver to Christmas Cheer.
Playing Santa is something Paramedic Greg Sharp enjoys.
"That's the fun part," said Sharp. "It makes me feel satisfied that we're contributing back to these families. We can pay it forward."
The Toy Drive benefits local children and families during the holiday season. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted at various locations and parades across Simcoe County until Monday.
Sharp has been involved in the toy drive since it started in 2002.
It has grown to a network of Paramedics who band together to partner with local charities.
"What we've come to see is that there's a large number of families, through whatever circumstances, are having trouble making ends meet. They're struggling to keep the lights on. To keep the fridge full and then comes Christmas. It's just an added stress every year for these families," said Sharp.
"We feel like if we can take the edge off of the present and gift-buying, we can take the stress out"
The Toy Drive still operates as localized campaign to tailor donations to specific needs of communities.
Paramedics will be collecting donations at the following locations during the final weekend:
December 16, 2017
Craighurst Foodland – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Orillia Walmart – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
December 17, 2017
Orillia Walmart – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donations can also be made at the County of Simcoe Administration Centre, 1110 Highway 26 in Midhurst between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at all Simcoe County Paramedic stations, where outdoor drop boxes are now available.
The Simcoe County Museum has also set up a Giving Tree as part of their new All I Wanted for Christmas Exhibit. Visitors are encouraged to bring food and warm clothing donations now that all the toys have been removed for delivery.
