Eight thousand toys and more than eight thousand kilograms of food—those weren’t props in a holiday pageant but the latest haul delivered by Simcoe County Paramedic Services, whose annual Food and Toy Drive once again transformed simple donations into real hope for local families.
For 23 years, the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services has helmed one of the region’s most enduring acts of neighbourly solidarity. This December, ambulances filled with gifts and groceries wound their way through the county, collecting 8,803 toys, over 8,680 pounds of food, and nearly $43,000 in monetary donations from residents, businesses, and community partners. The result: thousands of children and families across Simcoe celebrated the holidays with full tables and gifts under their trees.
“This drive truly embodies the spirit of Christmas in Simcoe County,” said Warden Basil Clarke. His words landed with particular force this year, as local households felt the pinch of rising costs. Yet the urge to give did not waver. According to Simcoe County officials, the drive has, over its 23-year history, amassed almost 140,000 toys and nearly 100,000 pounds of food—an achievement that echoes the resilience and compassion of the community.
Paramedic Services director and chief Sarah Mills credited not just her team but the families and friends who “dedicate countless hours to this cause.” Their coordinated efforts ensured that donations landed where they mattered most: in the hands of local charities like the Salvation Army, Barrie Christmas Cheer, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, and food banks serving communities from Orillia to Tottenham. Every item made its way to a child, a parent, a neighbour in need—reminding recipients and givers alike that they are not alone.
As the drive’s boxes emptied into the arms of grateful recipients, the legacy gained another layer. Simcoe’s generosity wasn’t a one-off; it was a tradition, a steady current running through years of uncertainty. With each toy and can of food, the community doubled down on its belief in collective care. The Paramedic Services’ campaign stands as a quiet but powerful rebuke to cynicism—a testament to what happens when a county decides, together, to make the holidays brighter for all.
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‘Incredible generosity’ helps fuel paramedics’ Food and Toy Drive
