The Orillia Secondary School (OSS) Students for Change club delivered the gift of kindness and compassion for local hospitalized children over the holidays.
From Dec. 6 to Dec. 20, the student-driven initiative collected new toys for children spending the holidays in the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital's (OSMH) pediatric unit.
Students for Change President, Myles Odlozinski, says about 50 toys were donated through the drive.
"We realize that many kids are going through difficult times," he said. "We wanted to find a way to make those difficult times as bright as possible and give some joy to those who need it the most."
Odlozinski, a Grade 12 student, says it’s easy for the youth at OSS to relate to children in need.
"We can imagine ourselves in those difficult situations and know how important it would be to have the support of fellow youth," he explained.
While Odlozinski is set to graduate from OSS later this year, he hopes the Students for Change Group will continue the toy drive for many years to come.
"It's something that is enjoyed by our entire school community," he said. "It's one of the initiatives that students and staff look forward to the most."
The staff at OSMH appreciated the toy drive, Odlozinski says.
"They were very thankful," he said. "They stressed how needed the toy drive was for families going through tough times."
Odlozinski thanks everyone who contributed to the toy drive over the holiday season.
"I hope everyone realizes the donations were much appreciated," he said. "I hope they realize that what they did was important."
Kristen Dawson, the children's services program manager at OSMH, said initiatives like this are "vital" to ailing kids.
"It is important that milestones and holidays are recognized and celebrated for children as part of providing care to the whole of the child and their family," said Dawson, noting the OSMH team also supports families in creating memories, marking occasions and assisting where perhaps hospitalization or financial barriers have not allowed parents/families to do so themselves.
"These patients are children first and foremost. Their illnesses/diagnoses are not who they are and so marking the holidays and normalizing as much as we can is vital to their overall health and wellbeing," said Dawson.
She said "it means a great deal" to the kids to know that someone thought of them so generously.
"It's incredibly special when families and patients find out that a group of young people within their own community are showing such kindness, generosity and initiative through donations," said Dawson.
Jennifer Grace, a social sciences and humanities teacher at OSS, who is also a staff advisor for Students for Change, says the toy drive has been an annual tradition since the beginning of the pandemic.
"Students want to provide the opportunity for young children and teenagers their age to have an enjoyable Christmas, even if they are stuck in the hospital," she explained. "It's something they can relate to and have compassion for."
Grace says the toy drive gives the students who donate a "good feeling."
"Giving and helping others does boost your sense of well-being," she said. "A lot of the students in the club are fortunate themselves, so I think it's good for them to learn about different people’s experiences and struggles."
Grace hopes that students take away a sense of community from the toy drive.
"I want them to know that they are making a difference," she said. "I hope that they appreciate what they have and how they can help those who are struggling as well."
OSMH Foundation officials agree.
"Donations from our community, like this one from Students for Change, are incredibly impactful and overwhelming for families," said Heather Saba, senior annual giving officer at the OSMH Foundation.
She noted the pediatric department is always in need of new children's pajamas, toys, and gift cards. If you would like to donate items, please connect with the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Foundation by emailing [email protected] or calling 705-325-6464.
