TIMMINS - How many stuffed animals does it take to fill an ambulance?
That is a question the Rotary Club of Timmins-Porcupine is hoping to answer this weekend at the Timmins Fall Fair on Sept. 7-8, where members are collecting stuffed animals for front-line workers and other caregivers to help those in stressful situations.
The last stuff-an-ambulance event in 2022 brought in 1,048 stuffed animals and $111 in monetary donations, said Rotary member Samantha Genier. The goal is to bring in even more this time.
“I know they’re out there, taking up room in toy boxes and under the beds,” she said. “Let’s try for 2,000. That would be phenomenal!”
The ambulance will be parked near the entrance of the Fall Fair being held at the Mountjoy Arena. Volunteers are accepting stuffed animals and monetary donations to support the program throughout the weekend.
Rotary’s teddy bear program collects new and gently used stuffed animals to give out in high-stress situations.
The program was started by Fran and AJ Zimmerman, who ran it for 29 years before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rotary Club of Timmins Porcupine took up the program after the pandemic.
The toys will be distributed to emergency workers like EMS and Timmins Police, as well as the Timmins and District Hospital emergency room and pediatric wing. The stuffed animals will also be going to senior centres in Timmins.
“Seniors love stuffed animals just as much as kids do,” said Genier.
The stuffed animals will also go to children’s clubs to help encourage the children to keep up with new skills.
“Figuring skating clubs, hockey clubs that have the little ones, it helps make skating fun and helps encourage them,” said Genier
It has been two years since the last stuff-an-ambulance event for the Rotary Club of Timmins-Porcupine.
Even after the stuff-an-ambulance event is finished, stuffed animals can be requested or donated through the Rotary Club’s website
“The more donations we get, the more people we can help,” said Genier.
