Despite a pandemic, FCA Canada's Windsor employees banded together to give to those less fortunate at Christmastime.
During a presentation on Friday at Windsor Fire Headquarters, members of Unifor Local 444, along with Windsor Assembly Plant manager Jon Desjardins, delivered a Chrysler Pacifica minivan stuffed with toys, along with a cheque for $16,000, made out to Sparky's Toy Drive.
Even with this year's drive marked with socially-distanced collection bins and donations of money, Desjardins was still enormously pleased with the effort.
"I am once again overwhelmed by the generosity of our employees. During a challenging time for everyone, the team here is always thinking of the community and how we can help," said Desjardins.
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the focus of this year's drive to monetary donations, but that did not stop employees from filling the minivan with toys in less than a week.
Sparky's Toy Drive, named after the mascot for Windsor Fire and Rescue, is the annual holiday outreach event run by the fire service. Brand-new toys are collected, then distributed to 3,200 children in need across Windsor-Essex. This is the 18th year FCA Canada has participated in the drive.
"FCA Windsor Assembly employees have long been a huge part of Sparky’s Toy Drive success over the years," said Sparky's Toy Drive coordinator Sean Costello. "They recognized that many families are in need this year more than ever and really stepped up for the community."
All toys and monetary collections donated by FCA Canada employees were made with social distancing in mind. Personal protection equipment (PPE) was worn at all times.
Ninety minivans have been filled with toys by FCA employees since the drive began in 2002, with a total cash value of $230,000.
The public can join in on the fun by dropping off brand-new, unopened toys and donations at any Windsor fire station through December 23. Toys can also be dropped off at Costco, Canadian Tire, Devonshire Mall, or Toys R Us.
Complete information can be found on the drive's official website.
