County of Simcoe Paramedics have launched their annual food and toy drive to benefit local children and families during the Christmas season.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items will be collected at a series of events across the region.

Building on the tremendous success of past years, paramedics have expanded the collection drive to include more local Santa Claus parades and store locations in communities around the region. Donations are also being accepted at the County of Simcoe administration centre, 1110 Highway 26 in Midhurst during regular business hours and at all Simcoe County paramedic stations where outdoor drop boxes are now available.

Food and toys collected over the next few weeks will be distributed to local children by charities working in partnership with Simcoe County paramedics.

Residents are being asked to give generously again this year to help the many Simcoe County families experiencing difficult times during the Christmas season.

Paramedic Stations throughout Simcoe County have drop boxes located outside to receive non-perishable food donations and new, unwrapped toys.

The Wasaga Beach station is located at 23 Oxbow Rd. In Elmvale the station is at 7 Patterson St., and in Collingwood the station is at 195 St. Paul Street.