IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: A version of article was originally published by ThoroldToday on December 9.
Three words came to James Symons’ mind as he watched over 100 volunteers come together at CAA Niagara’s Thorold location on Schmon Parkway to help those in the community who are experiencing homelessness.
“We are blessed,” Symons said, as bags containing a two pairs of warm winter gloves, two pairs of socks, and an assortment of personal care items such as toothpaste and deodorant were assembled and placed into gift bags.
“This is the most volunteers. We almost need to rent the Meridian Centre next time,” he added with a smile. “This is, this is what I call community.”
He said a Community Boost grant of $10,000 – which Toolbox Project Niagara received from CAA Niagara – went a long way in purchasing the items.
While the Dec. 5 event was to assemble bags for men – more than 800 in all, an additional 573 bags were assembled for women.
Toolbox Project Niagara began in 2017 to provide something during the holiday season for men experiencing homelessness. The bags are distributed through various community agencies including Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, Pelham Cares, Start Me Up Niagara and more recently, the Niagara Regional Native Centre and the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre.
“Last week, my mom and dad delivered to the Niagara Native Centre, and when we arrived, same with the friendship Centre in Fort Erie – open arms, they were excited. It’s like Christmas morning – hugging us and it’s just a warm feeling.”
Rhiannon Fleming, communications specialist for CAA Niagara, said the organization was all too happy to help Symons.
While there was the financial help, Community Boost provides much more, she said.
“That also comes with marketing support. (Symons) gets his logo branded on a truck out in the community to kind of raise awareness about the charity as well.”
And then, there are also the boots on the ground the CAA can provide.
“You get nights like this, where you get our support to be here, hands on, volunteering and helping as well,” Fleming said.
One of those people helping was Cameron Varga. A student in Niagara College’s Police Foundations program, he has actively volunteered since he was in high school in St. Catharines. Why does he do it? It’s about helping, he said.
“Helping out everyone, it just makes me feel better,” Varga said.
And with the holiday season in full swing, he said it’s important to remember that there are people in the community who are having a hard time and need some help.
“It's so needed in this day and age,” he said. “You see all the homeless people, and at Christmas time, you just feel bad for them.”
More information about Toolbox Project Niagara can be found at toolboxproject.ca or on its Facebook page.
