Service Members Helping Others Over Holidays
Toronto Police Service members reached out to many people over the holidays providing much needed support and brining some special treats for kids.
As part of its Christmas Toy Drive, Project Hope delivered new toys and essential items to 1,100 children and 500 adults who are newcomers to Canada on December 14 and 15.
“The response was overwhelming and we want to thank everyone who donated or volunteered,” said Detective Constable Mustafa Popalzai, of the Gun & Gang Task Force.
This year’s donations totalled over $167,000.
Donors included the Toronto Police Association, Sergeant Kathy McMahon Community Donation, Brands for Canada, Centennial College Police Foundations, Starbucks and the Toronto Transit Commission.
Popalzai and 51 Division Neighbourhood Community Officer Farzad Ghotbi started Project Hope in 2021 to help refugees from Afghanistan.
The initiative was expanded to help newcomers from countries around the world.
Both officers came to Canada as refugees.
Since 2021, Project Hope has donated over $1.3 million worth of goods.
Project Hope will transition to the Community Partnerships & Engagement Unit in the New Year to expand the project across the city.
“In this way, more newcomers can be reached by police to ensure that they are informed of the role of police and basic Canadian laws,” said Popalzai. “It will be a very much proactive approach to policing and a way to ensure that newcomers are well informed and educated so they don’t fall prey and become victim to a number of common issues.”
Donations were top of mind for many Service members, who reached out to people in need.
The Auxiliary Toy Drive once again delivered thousands of toys to girls and boys in Scarborough on December 14.
“There is a need to help those that are less fortunate,” said 42 Division Constable Erica Blackbird, who is spearheaded the Toy Drive. “This is a team effort to ensure that kids in the Scarborough area have an enjoyable Christmas.”
Started in 1974 by Auxiliary Officer Carrie Mallin to bring smiles to the faces of children in shelters over the holidays, the drive has supported thousands of youths and their families over the festive season.
TTC buses were crammed with gifts delivered to several shelters, helping survivors of intimate partner violence, as well as community organizations that serve youth.
Toronto Police Communications ‘D’ platoon made a sizable donation to Interval House that offers essential services to intimate partner violence survivors and their children.
“When connecting with 55 Division Neighbourhood Community Officers, they shared they had plans to cook and serve a Christmas dinner for staff and residents,” said Communications Services Manager Kerry Murray-Bates. “We asked for a list with ages of the children to provide gifts to.”
Using money raised from fundraising initiatives during the year, they purchased two gifts each for 15 children between the ages of four months and 16 years old, 15 stockings with hygiene products, shampoo, body wash, nail polish, tooth brushes and paste, floss, nail files, gum, candy, winter hats, mitts and socks along with colouring books and markers for their activity room.
“I am very proud of the work this platoon and all our members do to bring Christmas cheer to community members at this time of year,” Murray-Bates said.
