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OPS Toy and Food Drive an overwhelming success

December 21, 2016   ·   0 Comments

Written By: Jasen Obermeyer

Orangeville Police Service’s annual toy and food drive, which has been providing local families in Dufferin County in need during the Christmas season, was this year once again a success.

The Toys for Tots program has run for many years in Orangeville. Throughout December, members of the Auxiliary Police Unit have been accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food for the Orangeville Food Bank at various locations around town. Cash and Canadian Tire money is turned into gift cards for older kids, particularly younger teenagers.

The toys collected are distributed by the Salvation Army’s Christmas Hamper program, at the Salvation Army New Hope Community Church at 690 Riddell Road.

To receive further donations, the OPS held their first “Magical Christmas Forest,” at St. John’s Church on Highway 9, the idea coming from Rev. John Lockyer, the church’s rector. Thirteen trees were on display to represent an organization or business, members of the community coming and putting a toy under their favourite tree, which the police service collects.

Constable Scott Davis says they are looking to do it next year. “We were very pleased at this year’s response and we raised quite a few toy donations from that.”

Major Carson Decker, New Hope Community Church’s pastor, says the toys donated will assist 150 families registered, which includes nearly 350 children and 100 teenagers.

The toys are put in New Hope’s auditorium, where it’s set up like a toy store. People come in and pick toys, with labels to various ages and gender, along with different sections of toys. There are toy trucks, legoa, books, puzzles, arts and crafts, toy animals, clothes and many more items for those in need.

Major Decker says the toy and food drive, as well as money donations, are very important, as Christmas adds an element of stress to families struggling financially.

“We’re grateful to the community for their generosity to make this happen. This could not be possible without the community.”

Constable Davis says he’s humbled by the donations, as they try to help where they can with those in need of assistance. “We’re just very pleased to do our part, and the generosity comes from the members of our community.”

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