Toolbox Niagara is at it again, and this time they’re collecting underwear for homeless men and women in the region.
“If they’re in the shelter or transitioning into a tent they got nothing new, nothing fresh, so let’s collect men's and women’s underwear,” said Toolbox founder James Symons, in an interview with ThoroldToday.
The campaign is a collaboration with Fort Erie’s Surfing Santa, also known as John Fulton.
Every year, Fulton goes surfing on the Niagara River in a Santa Claus costume, to raise awareness for the homeless. The event has been happening for 38 years and is usually accompanied by a month-long donation campaign.
“We’ve always tried to focus on unidentified needs,” Fulton tells ThoroldToday over the phone. “A lot of the charities won’t even ask for underwear because it’s out of sight, out of mind. People just seem a little bit uncomfortable with undergarments so I’m making that the focus.”
Collection bins have been set up at the Thorold Community Activities Group (TCAG), as well as Thorold Fire Station 1 and Thorold Fire Station 4.
The TCAG's executive director Megan Gilchrist and Fire Chief Terry Dixon met up with Symons at the TCAG on Thursday morning to kick off the campaign.
“We’re a community hub so it’s really part of our mandate to support other community organizations,” said Gilchrist. “I think it’s really good because it’s something that people don’t often think about when they’re donating. They think about clothes, they think about backpacks for kids, but underwear is such a necessity.”
To make the donation campaign interesting, Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 4 will be holding a friendly competition.
“Station 4 is challenging Station 1 to see who can get the most,” Symons said. “It makes a community stronger and better if we all come together.”
“I think it’s fantastic,” added Dixon. “Let’s have fun with it!”
The campaign is another notch in the belt for Symons and his Toolbox, as the organization also recently participated in the Coldest Night of the Year.
“We raised our amount,” said Symons. “Our goal was $1,000 and we did that. Thorold people came together and we walked in downtown St. Catharines — a great walk.”
In spite of his vow to take some time off during the winter months, Symons is clearly not one to rest on his laurels
“I’m ready to go,” he said. “I don’t need much time off. We’re always available. If somebody needs help with something or wants to partner up, let’s do it.”
The collection bins will be set up until the beginning of April. Thorold residents are encouraged to drop off new men and women’s underwear of all shapes and sizes.
