Toolbox Niagara is teaming up with the Niagara Kung Fu Academy for a Refresh Spring Drive.
“We're collecting socks and underwear for men and women,” explains Toolbox founder James Symons. “We got great support so let's run with this.”
Initially, Symons was hesitant about putting on a spring drive.
“I had done one last year and we had great success but that's a lot of work and then you gotta worry about donor fatigue,” he says. “So I went to social media and asked: ‘Would you support a spring drive?’ And everyone’s like, ‘Why don’t you do it?’”
Even though the campaign doesn’t officially kick off until Monday, Symons has already seen great interest from people.
“I got almost more interested in Toolbox than at Christmas,” he says. “The community is really kind of coming forward. It's quite exciting that people want to get involved.”
On April 6, as part of the campaign, the Kung Fu Academy is hosting a sword training seminar for kids 12 and up, as well as adults.
“If you bring a donation to the drive that day for Toolbox you can chop something up with a knife,” says Symons.
The spring drive is not the only thing keeping Symons busy. On Wednesday, he was named the new president of the board of directors at the Thorold Community Activities Group (TCAG).
“I'm very excited,” Symons says. “I'm looking forward to working with the team. Megan's been a great executive director overseeing everything and she's gotten lots of grants.”
So once again, Symons is not planning on slowing down anytime soon.
“Community partnerships are very important,” he says. “I’m looking forward to anyone who wants to work with us or partner with us in making the community better. I don't plan on slowing down at all. I've got the energy and if I got the ideas, I'll keep doing it.”
The Refresh Spring Drive will kick off on Monday, April 1 and will run until Friday, April 26.
There will be collection bins at Fire Station 1, the TCAG, McCollum Law on Front St., Boldt Realty in St. Catharines, and the Niagara Kung Fu Academy in Niagara Falls.
