FCA Canada Donates Minivan-load of Toys and $16,000 Toward 2020 Windsor Firefighters ‘Sparky’s Toy Drive’

December 11, 2020 , Windsor, Ontario -  A socially distanced presentation was held today at Windsor Fire and Rescue Services headquarters in support of this year’s Sparky’s Toy Drive. FCA Canada Windsor Assembly Plant Manager Jon Desjardins along with members of Unifor 444 delivered the toys, filling a Chrysler Pacifica, as well as a cheque for $16,000. The donation from FCA Canada employees will go toward local Windsor-Essex children in need this holiday season.

While the annual Sparky’s Toy Drive at FCA’s Windsor Assembly Plant may have looked different this year with socially distanced collection bins and monetary donations encouraged, employees were as generous as ever, raising the donation and filling the Windsor-built Chrysler Pacifica minivan full of toys in just a week.

“I am once again overwhelmed by the generosity of our employees,” said FCA Canada Windsor Assembly Plant Manager Jon Desjardins. “During a challenging time for everyone, the team here is always thinking of the community and how we can help.”

All toys and collections donated on behalf of FCA Canada employees were made respecting social distancing and the proper PPE was worn at all times.

2020 marks the 18th year that FCA has been donating to Sparky’s Toy Drive, the annual local holiday campaign that collects brand-new toys for more than 3,200 children in need throughout the Windsor-Essex community. The program is organized by Windsor Fire and Rescue Services.

“FCA Windsor Assembly employees have long been a huge part of Sparky’s Toy Drive success over the years,” said Sean Costello, Sparky’s Toy Drive Coordinator, Windsor Fire and Rescue Services. “They recognized that many families are in need this year more than ever and really stepped up for the community.”

Since 2002, FCA employees have filled more than 90 minivans with toys valued at over $230,000. This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus shifted to monetary donations.

The public is encouraged to join the cause and help local families by donating new, unopened toys or monetary gifts. Donations can be dropped off at Windsor fire stations listed on the Toy Drive's official website http://www.sparkystoydrivewindsor.com/ 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.