Plush toys on a mission to bring calm to children in crisis in Timmins

This October, during the Night Terrors Film Festival at Cinema 6 in Timmins, movie-goers have been dropping off plush toys with Rotarians in the entranceway.

The Rotary Club of Timmins-Porcupine with the help of Country 93.1, has picked up on the popular teddy bear drive that was once run by AJ and Fran Zimmerman. AJ worked as a paramedic and Fran at the Timmins and District Hospital.

“The original organizers of this program, they ran it for 29 years. And they only stopped it because they were tired. That’s a lot of teddy bears, right?" said Samantha Genier, a Rotarian.

The Zimmermans collected over 50,000 stuffed animals in those 29 years and ended their version of the program in March 202.

The cute and cuddly synthetic critters will be tasked with a serious mission – to bring comfort to a child and be a positive distraction when one is feeling anxious or is in crisis.

Since the summer, the Rotary Club has collected and given out hundreds of the toys.

“Every place I called, they said yes, put us on the list," said Genier.

"Of course Timmins Police and EMS were the first ones on our list and starting next week, Timmins and District Hospital will be receiving four large garbage bags to have in the emergency room and also in the PEDS clinic.”

Officials with the Timmins Police Service told CTV news they are happy the program is back on duty.

“Because if your child’s anxiety level is reduced then it typically follows that the parents’ anxiety level will follow as well, so this is a good program," said police communications coordinator Marc Depatie.

Even though one might think children are well-armed with tech gadgets these days to keep them occupied, police have seen what a difference a stuffed toy can make.

“If we go into residences or we go to a call, and ... there’s a language barrier there and we can’t connect with them, but through a gesture, even an item as a stuffed animal, it’s a great way for them to feel heard and to feel safe," said constable Caroline Rouillard.

The Rotary Club of Timmins-Porcupine said the Teddy Bear Program is an ongoing initiative. Collection bins are set up at businesses around town ready for new and gently loved stuffed toys as well as cash donations.

For more information on the program or to find a drop-off location visit the club’s website.