Fanshawe’s Woodstock/Oxford campus collects truckload of toys for DASO

(Left to right): Judith Bell, DASO’s Amanda Deadman, and Jillian Wojtasiak of Fanshawe College with some of the new toys collected for DASO. (Judith Bell photo)

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

Giving back during United Way’s Day of Caring inspired an employee of the Woodstock Fanshawe College campus to run a toy drive for children in need.

Fanshawe College’s Woodstock/Oxford Regional Campus donated a truckload of gently used and new toys to Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (DASO). Judith Bell, SIS designate for the college’s Woodstock/Oxford campus, organized the drive after college staff volunteered at DASO for United Way Oxford’s Day of Caring.

Staff cleaned up the grounds and worked on the gardens. Bell, in particular, worked in the children’s play area. When she saw the condition of the toys, including some broken ones, she decided to host a toy drive on campus. The toy drive also collected bicycles, balls, and basketball nets for children to play with.

“It’s just a feel-good moment for us all here and to know that we’re putting smiles on kids' faces,” Bell said.

Staff are still bringing in items for DASO, including a scooter and a Fisher-Price picnic table. Bell said that staff at Fanshawe College’s Woodstock/Oxford Regional Campus are always ready to give back.

“We have a wonderful community caring staff here and all one has to do is just mention what do you think of this idea and everybody is involved,” she said. “We’re very strong when it comes to giving to others and supporting charities and other institutions such as DASO.”

In addition to providing support to those experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), DASO helps children who are facing and/or witnessing domestic violence. The DASO website said that children are present and see the violence happen in 80 per cent of domestic violence cases. Knowing the organization also supports children, Bell said the toy drive ensures they are included.

“This way, we’re able to address that need and hopefully others in the community might do the same,” she said.