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'A bit of comfort': Local volunteers give the gift of Christmas

Volunteers ensure about 4,000 toys will be delivered to close to 1,500 area families; 'This helps ensure children who would not have toys will get toys for Christmas'

The former Port McNicoll Public School felt a little bit like the North Pole this week.

On Wednesday, representatives from a number of local agencies arrived at the old village school to pick up toys destined for children in need at Christmas as Friends of Keewatin volunteers helped fill their waiting vehicles with toys donated by Thomson Terminals.

“We hope this gives them a bit of comfort,” said Lisa Both, a volunteer involved with the Ukrainian Welcoming Committee of North Simcoe, which helps displaced Ukrainian families now living here.

Her car brimming with toys, Both said Ukrainian children have seen things that no child (or adult) should see or experience as Russia continues its barrage against the eastern European country.

“Hopefully, this will make them feel a bit more at ease because they’ve been through so much."

Friends of Keewatin president Wayne Coombes said the venture that’s been ongoing since 2014 serves an important role for the community.

“This helps ensure children who would not have toys will get toys for Christmas,” Coombes said, adding that approximately 4,000 toys will be delivered to close to 1,500 families across the region when all is said and done.

All toys donated by Thomson Terminals, which is a provider of logistics services, are new, current and popular.

Rebecca Sterling and Kendall Lamb arrived to pick up toys destined for “urban Indigenous” children connected to the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre.

“We have 250 children in need,” said Sterling, who serves as the Akwe:go program coordinator and noted that the number keeps growing, having sat at 146 last year.

Lamb, who serves as child and family services coordinator, said the centre goes through its member list to determine children in need.

“We really rely on the community and have been partnering with the Friends of Keewatin for the last three years.”

Other agencies receiving toys include: Boys and Girls Clubs, Salvation Army, Simcoe Family Connexions,  Beausoleil First Nation, the Lions Clubs of Port McNicoll and Coldwater, Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Ann’s, We are the Villagers, Huronia Transition Homes – la Maison Rosewood Shelter, Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation, Midland YMCA, the Ukrainian Welcoming Committee of Barrie, the 3 School Christmas Wish List, Southern Georgian Bay OPP and local municipal fire services.


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Andrew Philips

About the Author: Andrew Philips

Editor Andrew Philips is a multiple award-winning journalist whose writing has appeared in some of the country’s most respected news outlets. Originally from Midland, Philips returned to the area from Québec City a decade ago.
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