RCMP Constable Bartek St. Ankusz (L) 8 Wing CFB Trenton Base Commander Colonel Colin Keiver (C) and RCMP Constable Brad Gossen (R) load toys for children in isolated and poor northern communities on November 29, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Thousands of children in northern Canada’s most remote and poor communities will soon be excitedly awaiting a toy delivery from a familiar figure dressed in red, but it won’t be Santa.
It will be a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police bringing gift-wrapped toys donated by the Canadian Toy Association.
On Tuesday, the RCMP handed over thousands of toys to 8-Wing CFB Trenton personnel to fly to Goose Bay and northern Ontario as part of the annual ‘Toys for the North’ toy drive. From there, RCMP and community volunteer groups will wrap and label the toys and then deliver them to their ultimate destination into the hands of happy children.
RCMP Inspector Chris McBryan says in seven years almost a half million dollars in toys have gone to children in need.
8-Wing Commanding Officer Col. Colin Keiver agreed beaming the program makes a huge difference to the kids who receive the toys.
Partners involved in the program include the Canadian Toy Association, Thomson Terminals in Toronto, the RCMP, the Canadian Armed Forces and North Star Air.
(Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
