Winnipeg emergency vehicles equipped with new comforts for kids

Thanks to the efforts of a 13-year old Winnipeg girl, local emergency vehicles have a new way to make kids in crisis more comfortable.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Chief John Lane accepted a donation of 1,000 stuffed animals Monday from Sara’s Safety Friends. The animals are the result of a collaboration by the Firefighters’ Burn Fund, Red River Mutual and Sara Tabac.

“I’m so happy to be able to help children my own age and in my own community,” Sara said. “I can only imagine what it’s like to go through a fire and hope that Patch will make the situation a little less scary.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I'm so happy to be able to help children my own age and in my own community," Sara said. "I can only imagine what it's like to go through a fire and hope that Patch will make the situation a little less scary."

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Sara thought up the initiative after touring a WFPS station and realized that kids involved in a crisis would likely have to leave their toys behind. She wanted to find a way to provide scared children with something to help comfort and make them feel safe. She helped design and fund the stuffed ‘Patch’ dogs.

Following Monday’s delivery of 1,000 toys, Sara hopes to purchase another 2,500 in 2018 for children in the community.