Doug Whiffen, a recent recruit to the Simcoe County Paramedic Services, is doing his part, along with the men and women of the service, by collecting toys for the under privileged this Christmas.

The Annual Paramedic Food and Toy Drive began in Orillia in 2002. The initial donations were channeled to the Orillia Salvation Army that year.

Due to the success of the event, the drive quickly expanded to other areas of the county. In 2004, more than 500 toys were collected along five Santa Claus Parade routes.

Last year, the paramedics shifted the focus to the “Fill an Ambulance with Toys” event. An optional payroll deduction program was instituted at the county too.

“Each paramedic station had a box installed,” he says. “Last year, 2,700 toys were donated, along with almost $2,000 in cash and 300 pounds of food. Donations were distributed to local charities in time for their Christmas hamper programs.”

Once again this year, “We’ve had multiple events throughout Simcoe County. We’ll be collecting toys at this Sunday’s (Dec. 16) Santa Claus Parade in Alcona. The Children’s Aid Society will receive the toys. We’ve officially added the food drive to our campaign this year and are continuing to improve on the existing events.”

So far this holiday season, Whiffen says thousands of toys have already been collected across the region, along with numerous cash donations totalling in excess of $4,000, gift cards and 45 boxes of non-perishable food.

If you can’t make the parade this weekend, donations can be brought to Fire and Ambulance Station #3 in Stroud, on Victoria Street, up until Friday, Dec. 21.

The Simcoe County Paramedic Association has become a registered charity. Cash donations can now qualify for a charitable receipt.

This has helped the group sign on corporate support, Whiffen says. Flags Unlimited donated a banner and the Home Depots in Barrie and Orillia provided all the materials to build a parade float and the Midland Staples/Office Depot donated cash boxes to all station representatives.

“It’s really all about helping the kids at Christmas,” Whiffen says.