(The Toys and Toothpaste campaign is collecting for 2019. Photo: Medaglia family)
In 2018, two Stittsville children took it upon themselves to start collecting toys, pajamas and pancake mix for 106 homeless kids living at the ‘YMCA’ family transitional shelter – in support of the Rogers Communications give back initiative. The Toys and Toothpaste campaign, as it is named, will again continue in 2019.
Through their classmates, friends on their Stittsville RAMS hockey teams, and a flyer blitz of the neighbourhood, Ben & Ellie Medaglia – aged 8 and 10 when they were inspired to begin this generous project – were able to support 76 families at the ‘Y’ shelter in 2018 with huge hampers filled with breakfast goodies, sweet treats, pjs, mitts, hats and even toys. In addition to this, the many contributions from Stittsville residents helped the Medaglia children bring an additional donation of 100 toys to the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa through the Angel Tree program. It did not end there, another large bag of new socks was donated to the local Stittsville Stocking Project team.
(The flyers that Ben and Ellie blitzed the neighbourhood with in 2018. Photo: Medaglia family)
This year, Mom Kristal, thought that perhaps the family would casually post on social media that they are collecting donations with the hope that they would do what they could to help out. That was until they learned that 70 new families who live at the ‘Y’ shelter are in need of assistance. Needless to say, the project Toys and Toothpaste is afoot for another year.
The Medaglia family is again appealing to Stittsville residents to assist them in filling the hampers. To do so, they are hoping to receive:
- Pancake mix (the just add water type)
- Syrup
- Rice
- Flour
- Peanut Butter
- Jam
- Toiletries (toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, shampoo)
- Diapers and diaper wipes
These are just some of the items that are needed, but they are happy to receive any additional donations of mitts, hats, socks and toys for children aged infant to teens.
(Just some of the donations that Toys and Toothpaste received in 2018. Photo: Medaglia family)
Donations can be made by November 18th giving the family time to sort the items received and fill the hampers. If you would like to donate, please contact the family at toysandtoothpaste@gmail.com. They would like to receive enough donations to be able to help out the Stittsville Food Bank this year.
“Stittsville is AMAZING and so giving” said Kristal and wanted to pass on “Happy Holidays sweet Stittsville!”.
The Rogers ‘Y’ Centre family party is taking place on December 6th, at which Ben and Ellie will attend and watch with pride, the excitement and happiness their selfless initiative and Stittsville’s generosity brings to the lives of these 70 families during this season of giving.
(Ben and Ellie with their Dad at the Roger ‘Y’ Family Centre party in 2018. Photo: Medaglia family)