For the fourth year, the compassionate Beaverdams resident has launched his Niagara Toolbox Project, a campaign which collects items most of us take for granted and delivers them to the homeless, in hopes of giving them a better Christmas.
Energetic and active in numerous charity organizations, Symons realized in 2017 that while many agencies served homeless women, there were severe gaps in the system for helping homeless men, and worked to close that gap.
Setting a modest goal of filling 25 shoeboxes with hygiene items, warm winter socks, gloves and snack foods that first year, Symons channelled his trademark community spirit and collected a whopping 360 street survival kits brimming with Christmas goodies for homeless men in just three weeks.
In total, 1,600 boxes and drawstring tote bags, which Symons switched to since they were more practical and portable for homeless people—have been distributed to men living in shelters; and in 2019, Symons had enough to provide supplies to every town and city in Niagara.
His project has seen such success that Symons was presented with the Brock University Alumni Association Award for Community Engagement for 2020.
According to Ryan Treanor, chair of the BUAA Community Engagement Committee, Symons earned the award by making “outstanding contributions” to his community, and “in doing so, has enriched the lives of others … James exemplifies positive change.”
The enthusiastic full-time Costco employee has also spearheaded several other local food drives and summer collections, the latter known as “Poverty Doesn’t Take a Vacation” campaigns.
After handing a shoebox filled with basic hygiene items and small treats to a homeless man around Christmas time, Symons told the Thorold News he was “blown away” when the man became emotional and told him gratefully that was the first “gift” he’d ever received.
As the situation steadily worsens this winter, with joblessness escalating and poverty becoming even more prominent due to COVID-19, Symons is ready to show the region's marginal men that they're not alone.
He’s asking Thoroldites and all residents of Niagara to bring brand new hygiene items—toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand cream—as well as winter socks, gloves, toques, bandages, wrapped snacks, decks of cards, small books or “something fun” to one of three collection points this year: the Thorold Community Activities Group at 131 Richmond Street, the Thorold Fire Department at 16 Towpath Street, or Thorold Physiotherapy at 20 Pine Street North, Unit C.
New this year, face masks are also in great demand.
The deadline for dropping off items is Dec. 1.
Symons said he can also use assistance in picking up items from donators who are unable to drop them off. Anyone who’s available to help Symons can contact him by email at [email protected] or through Facebook.
