Northville Township Fire Department Co-Hosts Toy Drive

Northville Township Fire Department is co-hosting its first-ever toy drive to help local 7-year-old cancer fighter Emilia Pigeon’s birthday wish come true.

Emilia is asking the community to drop off new, unopened, unwrapped toys for patients at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. She and her family will deliver them to the Ann Arbor hospital during her birthday week with assistance by Township firefighters and the Northville Township Firefighters Charity Fund.

The drop box for toys is located in the vestibule of the new Public Safety Headquarters at the Essential Services Complex, 40911 Seven Mile Road. Toys can be dropped off anytime from now until May 5.

Emilia was diagnosed in October 2023 with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that invades nerve tissue. While she is currently in remission, last year during her birthday, she spent it at C.S. Mott after nearly losing her life to sepsis. This year, Emilia and her family vow to spend her birthday bringing a little extra joy to the children at Mott Children’s Hospital.

“During December, Mott receives a lot of toy donations for the kids,” explained Township Firefighter Lacey Marcotte, who helped plan the toy drive after running into Emilia’s mother, Danielle, at the Firefighter’s Ball in March. “By mid-summer, the toy bank gets scarce.”

This isn’t Emilia’s first time giving back. Her family joined the LemonAid Challenge on social media, which the Northville Township Police Department partook in, to draw attention to the underfunding of pediatric cancer research and help families affected by childhood cancer. Through the challenge, they raised $11,000 and donated the majority to organizations serving the pediatric cancer community, as well as directly to families at Mott Children’s Hospital. The donations made it possible for them to carry out several meaningful acts of kindness, including care packages, a warrior princess party for young girls battling pediatric cancer, and, mostly recently, a Wonderfold wagon for a child newly diagnosed with cancer. With the remaining funds, the family hopes to continue making a direct impact on the lives of children facing pediatric cancer through similar heartfelt gestures.

The Northville Township Fire Department has gotten to know Emilia over the past few years. They first met her when she toured the Fire Department’s Station No. 1. Shortly after that, they visited her house on an emergency call. The family has kept in close contact with the Fire team ever since.

“With this drive, we are cultivating a spirit of kindness that strengthens our community,” Firefighter Marcotte said. “Every contribution will help ease the burden faced by a child who is enduring difficulties with their health. Your kindness can and does make a meaningful change in their days.”

The Northville Township Fire Department provides its community with 24-hours of the highest level of fire, rescue and emergency medical services. Comprised of 39 team members, each person is an expert in Advanced Life Support, the highest level of pre-hospital care. Soon, the Department is opening Fire Station No. 2 at the Essential Services Complex, 40911 Seven Mile Road. This second facility will reduce response times. By having a second station, the Fire Department now reaches 97% of the Township in less than 6 minutes.