Giving Back During this Holiday Season

Four BWG Fire and Emergency Services workers smiling holding toys inside of the BWG Fire Hall standing beside a Christmas tree and toy box.

Today is Giving Tuesday!

Graphic that reads "Giving Tuesday November 28, 2023"

Photo of four BWG Fire and Emergency Services holding toys inside of the fire hall beside a tree and wrapped toy box.

The holiday season is the perfect time to give back to your local community. For many, it’s a time of year when they rely on the generosity of their community to get through the holidays.

There are several ways of giving back throughout BWG, and on this Giving Tuesday we are sharing some of the local campaigns that residents can participate in this holiday season.

For a full list of ways you can give back this holiday season in BWG please see refer to the list below.

Helping Hand Foodbank – All season long

BWG’s Helping Hand Foodbank is always looking for donations of food items and hygiene products. In a recent social media post, the Foodbank shared that more than 1,500 individuals from BWG rely on the Foodbank regularly to help put food on their table.

There are three main ways to donate:

1. Make a financial donation online

2. Become a volunteer with the Foodbank

3. Donate food on Mondays and Thursdays between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm or call 905 775 2824 for alternate arrangements

The Bradford Community Fridge – All season long

Established in October 2023, the Bradford Community Fridge is an initiative sponsored by Gwillimdale Farms to help increase access to nutritious produce for all BWG residents. The Bradford Community Fridge is a place where everyone is encouraged to “take what they need, leave what they can.” The fridge is open to everyone – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Drop off a donation any time of the day, the fridge is located outside the BWG Public Library at 425 Holland Street West.

2023 Bradford Christmas Wishlist – Now through December 6

WOW Living’s Christmas Wishlist is currently open! This campaign encourages residents to select individuals to adopt, purchase the item(s) on their Christmas wishlist, wrap and label their gifts, and drop them off at the Out of the Cold Café at 31 Frederick Street by December 6 (open 7 days a week, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm).

Click here for more details and to view the wishlist.

Simcoe County Paramedics Toy Drive – November 14 - December 9

2023 marks the 21st Annual Toy Drive hosted by the Simcoe County Paramedics Services, supporting families in need throughout Simcoe County. Over the last 20 years, the Toy Drive has collected 104,215 toys, 50,394 lbs of food, and more than $240,389 in monetary and gift card donations for families across Simcoe County.

From November 14 to December 9, toys are being collected at the BWG Fire Station 1 at 77 Melbourne Drive. All toys collected in BWG will be donated to WOW Living.

South Simcoe Police Service Weekend of Giving – December 9

The South Simcoe Police Service is partnering with CTV Barrie for their 19th Annual campaign to support Toy Mountain, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, and local food banks.

BWG residents can participate in the Weekend of Giving by dropping off new, unwrapped toys, nonperishable food items, or gift cards at the Canadian Tire located at 430 Holland Street West, on Saturday, December 9, between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Toys for Tickets – December 1-14

As you may be aware, winter parking restrictions are in effect starting December 1st – prohibiting vehicles from parking overnight (2:00 - 6:00 am) on BWG roadways.

If you get a parking ticket from the Town of BWG between December 1-14 for overnight on-street parking, you can “pay” your ticket through the Town’s Toys for Tickets campaign. This annual campaign allows ticket holders to donate new toys in lieu of paying their ticket.

To participate in the campaign, bring your parking ticket, new toy(s), and purchase receipt to the Town of BWG’s Administration Office (100 Dissette Street, Units 7&8) by 4:30 pm on December 15.

Toys must be purchased from a store in BWG.
Toys must be new, unwrapped, in their original packaging, and of equal or greater value (after taxes) to the parking ticket.
You must present the receipt to confirm the purchase price of your donated toy(s).

The Administration office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

All toys will be donated to our local Helping Hand Food Bank and Adopt a Family Christmas Wish Program.

A Home for the Holidays Online Auction – December 13-22

For its second year, CONTACT Community Services will be hosting its ‘A Home for the Holidays’ online auction.

The Auction will be open between December 13-22, offering a diverse collection of goodies – from thrilling adventures to mouth-watering treats, and locally handcrafted treasures.

All funds raised will support families and individuals in urgent need this holiday season and throughout the year, through the Community Hope Chest initiative.

Stay tuned for more information on the online auction: https://www.contactcommunityservices.ca/upcoming-events/