WPD 'EMS elves' are dropping off toys for the Empty Stocking Fund on Dec. 18, 2024. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

SANTA's WORKSHOP

Empty stocking Fund to give toys to over 560 kids in Battlefords

Dec 19, 2024 | 5:04 PM

Workers and volunteers at Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre (BDFRC) are sharing some holiday warmth this holiday season with their Empty Stocking Fund’s hampers.

This year, they are set to support approximately 330 families and 1,075 community members, including giving out toys to over 560 children.

Erin Katerynych, the executive director of BDFRC, explained that it was made possible by the generous support of donors throughout the Battlefords, including WDP Ambulances. On the last day of WPD’s Cram-the-Ambulance , ‘EMS elves’ helped fill three Ambulances with approximately 1,500 toys.

“I’m very happy. It’s my favorite time of year, and I want to be able to give back to the kids. It’s the reason I got into paramedicine, to give back to the community,” said Erik Marcoux, an advanced paramedic supervisor who has worked for WPD for 16 years and is also an EMS elf.

“it’s my way of helping out every year, the company’s way, and all of our co-workers’ ways.”

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Empty stocking Fund to give toys to over 560 kids in Battlefords

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Behind the scenes of the ‘Cram the Ambulance,’ on Dec. 18, 2024. Erik Marcoux and Mike Beatty. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

This event, which started on the first day of December, invited donations of new, unwrapped toys in designated bins at local businesses until Dec. 18. On that day, the elves collected and delivered the toys to the food bank, where they will be wrapped and distributed to children.

‘Cram the Ambulance'(Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

As Albert Oborowsky, a Pattison Media sales representative and one of the volunteers matching toys for the kids, looked at a thousand toys piled up in the food bank, his first thought was simply, “Wow.”

“There are definitely a lot of things that are in here, and it means there’s just that many families out there that actually need things,” he said.

“As a parent myself, I think people want to do their best for their kids and give them a Christmas, and if they’re having struggles and tough times, obviously, this would definitely help.”

All the toys are ready to be given out to over 560 kids in the Battlefords on Dec. 23. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

When asked why people should care to donate toys for kids, BDFRC front-end worker Kristen Murtaugh said, “They are our future.”

“It takes a village to raise a child and to come together and give them all those resources… you should care because they’re our future generation and they’re going to be the ones that run the world one day,” she said.

In addition to the toys, each registered household would receive a Family Hamper filled with approximately 24 items, including a turkey, ten pounds of potatoes, and a box of oranges.

One of the hampers. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

The distribution will begin at 9 a.m. on Dec. 23 and continue until approximately 2 p.m. For those unable to register for a hamper, extra hampers will be available at the food bank starting at 2 p.m. These will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Looking ahead to the following Monday, Katerynych is optimistic that events will unfold as planned. However, she has raised concerns about a shortage of toys for boys aged 10 to 17.

Until the day of distribution, BDFRC is still welcoming toy donations, especially for boys, she added.

From left to right: BDFRC manager Blake Feist, Erik Marcoux of WPD, BDFRC executive director Erin Katerynych, Mike Beatty of WPA and BDFRC front-end worker Kristen Murtaugh. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

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