A mountain of toys marked an annual tradition of Southlake Regional Health Centre staff, nurses, medical staff and volunteers joining forces with York Regional Police (YRP) to support local families in need during this festive season.
For more than a decade, Southlake has been an integral part of the Holiday Heroes initiative, helping YRP raise more than $2 million in monetary donations, new toys, new children’s clothing and food for families in need since the annual campaign began, according to a Southlake news release.
“Holiday Heroes is a staple at Southlake each year,” said Arden Krystal, president and CEO, Southlake. “It predates my time here and each year has warmed my heart to see Southlake teams coming together to demonstrate the spirit of giving and helping families in need. We are immensely proud of our staff for their ongoing commitment to supporting our community.”
Last year, YRP held more than 40 community events as part of the campaign and were able to support more than 3,000 families and 5,000 individuals. Their online donations exceeded $65,000.
“We are once again blown away by the generosity that has been extended this year,” says YRP Chief Jim MacSween. “Southlake’s donations will help deliver a happy holiday season to thousands of families right here in York Region. This includes families who are struggling to make ends meet, victims of human trafficking and survivors of domestic abuse, as well as their children.”
Last Friday, Dec. 15 was the final day to drop off new unwrapped toys, new children's clothing, gift cards or monetary donations at any York Regional Police facility. Donations can still be made at yrp.ca/hhdonate to help buy groceries and other items that are desperately needed such as winter clothing, diapers and formula.
