Windsor Fire and Rescue Services Receive Record-setting Delivery of Brand New Toys Donated on Behalf of FCA Windsor Assembly Plant Employees Giving Thousands of Local Children a Happy Holiday

  • Windsor Fire & Rescue Services receive ultimate holiday giveaway as FCA Windsor Assembly Plant employees deliver several Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Pacifica minivans overfilled with new toys, valued at roughly $35,000, for Sparky’s Toy Drive
  • Sparky’s Toy Drive provides toys to more than 3,000 kids from roughly 1,100 families in Windsor-Essex County annually
  • Windsor Assembly Plant employee toy drive campaign marks 14th year of giving; largest campaign of its kind in Windsor-Essex
December 8, 2016 , Windsor, Ontario -  Santa Claus has come early to Windsor-Essex county this year as Windsor Fire and Rescue Services led a convoy of Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Pacifica minivans from the Windsor Assembly Plant on Friday morning. These stuffed minivans are delivering brand new toys, which will be donated for the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services’ Annual Sparky’s Toy Drive.

A record-setting donation of brand new toys, valued at roughly $35,000, by Windsor Assembly Plant employees were packed inside several Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Pacifica minivans decorated with the holiday spirit in mind. Following their delivery, they will then be distributed across the local area, providing a happy holiday season for thousands of young boys and girls from families demonstrating financial need.

“The generosity of the employees at FCA Windsor Assembly Plant never ceases to amaze Sparky's Toy Drive. They are our largest contributor every year and assist us in supplying gifts for thousands of area children on Christmas,” said Sean Costello, Sparky’s Toy Drive Coordinator, Windsor Fire and Rescue Services. “It is our belief that no child should go without at Christmas and we are thrilled that FCA employees echo these sentiments. On behalf of the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services, as well as the Windsor Professional Firefighters Association, we would like to extend our extreme gratitude to the employees of FCA for their continued support of this worthwhile cause.”
 
In 14 years of donations, more than 60 minivans full of toys, valued at $350,000, have been donated by Windsor Assembly Plant employees, which have benefited roughly 42,000 children that otherwise couldn’t have gifts for the holidays. Once again, this year’s donation from Windsor Assembly Plant employees toward Sparky’s Toy Drive represents the largest campaign of its kind in the city. 
 
Gathered outside the Plant gates, management and members of FCA Canada’s Windsor Assembly Plant and Unifor local 444 members welcomed the Windsor Fire and Rescue Services, including Sparky the Fire Dog, with hundreds of toys loaded in the minivans parked outside. In a parade fashion, the minivans then left the fire station destined to the Sparky’s Toy Drive collection centre. In the upcoming days ahead, volunteers from the Windsor Assembly Plant will join others to help sort and deliver to children throughout the community.   

“Windsor Assembly Plant employees continue to excel, not only in our manufacturing operations, but also in giving back to the Windsor/Essex community. Every year, I am humbled by the generous spirit of each employee as they donate their time, effort and money to support local families in need,” said Michael Brieda, Plant Manager, FCA Windsor Assembly Plant. “The Windsor Fire and Rescue Services work extremely hard to ensure that all children are able to celebrate the holiday season to the fullest. We are thrilled to play a prominent role in Sparky’s Toy Drive and will continue to work with the organizers to sort and deliver the toys for the 14th consecutive year.”
 
The public is encouraged to help join the cause. New, unopened toys and cash donations can be dropped off at any Windsor fire station throughout the city between now and December 23.
 
FCA Canada
Founded as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925, FCA Canada Inc. is based in Windsor, Ontario, and celebrates its 97th anniversary in 2022. FCA Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of FCA, a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA Canada has approximately 440 dealers that sell Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo products, as well as SRT performance products. The company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. In addition to its assembly facilities, which produce the Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager and Chrysler Grand Caravan (Windsor) and Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger (Brampton), FCA Canada operates an aluminum casting plant in Etobicoke, a research and development centre in Windsor, and has sales offices and parts distribution centers throughout the country.  
 

Contact Information

Daniela Ferro
Office: (519) 973-2869
Cell: (519) 984-1215
LouAnn Gosselin
Office: (519) 973-2253
Cell: (519) 984-2600
Download Video Embed