Durham Region residents can help people displaced by northern Ontario wildfires by contributing clothing, hygiene supplies and other essential items during a limited donation drive in Whitby.
The Whitby wildfire donations are being accepted at Royal LePage Frank Real Estate, located at 200 Dundas Street East. Donations can be dropped off until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, or during a final collection period from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22.
The collection is being supported by the Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club as part of a larger relief effort involving Rotary Clubs throughout District 7070, which stretches from Toronto to Prince Edward County.
Whitby Wildfire Donations Will Support Evacuees
Mike Miller, president of the Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club, said the donated items will be transported to the First Nations Technical Institute in Tyendinaga.
The items will then be distributed to people who need assistance after being evacuated from communities affected by wildfires in northern Ontario.
The Whitby collection point is one of three drop-off locations operating within the Rotary district. Residents are encouraged to contribute useful, clean and practical items that can be distributed promptly to displaced families and individuals.
Requested donations include:
- New or gently used clothing in all ages and sizes
- Soap, shampoo, body wash and deodorant
- Diapers and other baby supplies
- Menstrual products
- Children’s hygiene products
- Blankets
- Toys
- Canes and other mobility aids
Donors should ensure that all clothing and blankets are clean and in usable condition. Hygiene products should be unopened, while baby supplies and mobility aids should be safe and ready for immediate use.
Residents Asked to Meet Short Collection Deadline
The donation campaign has a narrow collection window because organizers must prepare and transport the supplies for distribution.
Anyone planning to contribute on July 21 should arrive at the Whitby location before the 6 p.m. cutoff. The final opportunity to donate is between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on July 22.
Residents should not leave donations outside the building after collection hours unless organizers provide direct instructions allowing them to do so. Items left unattended could be damaged, lost or unavailable when the shipment is prepared.
Those unable to reach the Whitby location within the scheduled hours should check directly with local Rotary organizations for other verified relief campaigns. Monetary donations should only be made through trusted organizations using official donation pages or confirmed contact information.
Durham Community Supports Northern Ontario
Wildfire evacuations can force residents to leave their homes with limited notice and only essential belongings. Clothing, personal-care supplies, blankets and children’s products can help evacuees manage immediate needs while they remain away from their communities.
The Whitby wildfire donations initiative gives Durham residents a direct way to contribute during the emergency.
Local organizers are asking residents to focus on the requested items so the collected supplies can be sorted and distributed efficiently. Donations that are damaged, expired or outside the requested categories may be difficult to transport or use.
The collection is scheduled to conclude at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22. This article should be removed or clearly updated after that deadline unless the Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club announces an extension, a new collection point or another way for Durham residents to assist.
