Source: Niagara This Week (Nov. 5th, 2025) by Mike Zettel
Though he started by himself to equip people on the streets with winter gear, James Symons says he has always had help along the way.
The founder of Toolbox Project Niagara said when he started collecting cold-weather clothing and personal hygiene products for men, forming partnerships was crucial to its success.
This includes Thorold’s fire department, which has hosted an annual campaign launch from Day 1, and businesses that have agreed to host collection bins.
Start Me Up Niagara (SMUN) has also long been a supporter, but when the two formally merged this year, it provided a much-needed boost. With its resources, including official charitable status, the Toolbox Project campaign will run much more smoothly, he said.
As an example, Symons, who runs the campaign in his spare time, said he recently asked for help with a pre-campaign task prior to starting his job.
“I went on my break at work, and it was already done,” he said.
And when he was delivering collection bins, SMUN sent along a photographer to take photos to promote the campaign on social media.
It’s great,” he said. “I don’t have to take care of every little thing, running around like a chicken with its head cut off.”
This year’s campaign kicked off Oct. 30 at Thorold Fire Station 1. As with the previous year, the goal is to fill 1,000 kits for men and, as it has evolved over the years, another 500 for women.
The bins are set up across the region, with most in St. Catharines, Thorold and Niagara Falls, plus a few in Welland, Pelham and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Symons said he’s hoping to also send a few to Fort Erie and Port Colborne.
From now until the beginning of December, the campaign is collecting the following items:
- Travel-size shampoo, conditioner and lotion
- Deodorant
- Bars of soap
- Toothpaste and brushes
- Wash cloths
- Warm socks
- Warm tuques and gloves
- Handheld activities, such as card decks and notepads
- Pens
- Granola bars
- Candy
Symons said the kits will be delivered to 25 agencies across Niagara that work closely with people living on the street. This year, Toolbox Project teamed up with Niagara Regional Police, with officers dropping off kits to people officers regularly encounter.
“So, if they see an individual, they can hand it to them,” Symons said. “(If) we got out at night, we might not see anyone. They know where the people are.”
As well, Niagara Emergency Medical Services will be delivering kits to encampments.
Symons said he expects the campaign to continue for the foreseeable future, adding the 10,000th kit will likely be distributed next year.
It would be wonderful to be able to wind the project down some day when there’s no longer a need for it, he said, “but I don’t think we’re going to see that for a long time yet.”
“While there’s a need, we’ve still got to help.”
For more information, including the locations of collection bins, go to startmeupniagara.ca/site/toolbox-project.