RCMP Members work in communities across the country to keep Canada and Canadians safe. They are also proud members of these communities and are engaged in initiatives throughout the year.
While the holiday season is a time of joy and happiness for many, it can also be a time where people might need a helping hand to bring the magic of the season home to their families and friends. Just like responding to crime, our Members are on the case and up to the task! Throughout this holiday season, Members of the RCMP across Canada have stepped up to lead, join, or participate in community initiatives and it is our pleasure to share some examples below, knowing there are many, many more across the country. It is important to mention that none of these events would have been possible without the generosity of Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast!
Atlantic/Central Canada
Harbour Grace Make a Wish Donation and Tree Lighting
Together with NPF Local Area Representative Lynn Gaudet, Harbour Grace RCMP Members supported the Make a Wish Foundation tree lighting in their area, raising $2,210 for Make-A-Wish Newfoundland. The NPF Benevolent Foundation [LINK] was also proud to donate in support of this important cause.
Richmond County RCMP “Cram the Cruiser” Event
Together with the St. Peter’s & District Volunteer Fire Department and the Isle Madame Fire Department, Members of the Richmond County RCMP in N.S. hosted Cram-the-Cruiser/Fill-the-Fire truck food bank drives in Arichat and St. Peter’s. Together, they raised $4,381.70 and filled several fire trucks and police cars with donations for the St. Peter’s & Area Food Banks Society.
Baie Verte “Pack the Back” Food Drive
Baie Verte RCMP in N.L., along with Baie Verte Paramedics and the Dorset Trail Regional Fire Department, hosted a Pack-the-Back food drive and were able to collect a large quantity of food and monetary donations to support their local food bank.
Sheshatshiu RCMP “Cram the Cruiser
Our Members of the Sheshatshiu RCMP in N.L. organized a Cram-the-Cruiser event to collect food, gifts and cash donations in support of local charities.
Toys of the North provides toys and hockey equipment to Labrador’s youth
Santa touched down early in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to deliver his annual shipment of toys with help from RCMP N.L. Members, RCMP Air Services and partners at the Canadian Toy Association, Thomson Terminals Limited, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), 5 Wing Goose Bay, and Woodward Aviation, who work together to organize this event. The toys and hockey equipment are distributed amongst coastal communities in Labrador. This annual event helps ensure that approximately 4,000 children receive a gift each year. Members across the country support this program which also supports children in the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut.
Harbour Grace and Bay Roberts RCMP Cram-the-Cruiser Event
Members from the Harbour Grace and Bay Roberts RCMP collected a large quantity of food, toys, clothing and over $1,000 in cash during their recent Cram-the-Cruiser event. The items were donated to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food bank, Harbour Grace, N.L.
Barrington RCMP Stuff-the-Cruiser Event
Members of the Barrington RCMP collected toys for local children as well as $1,300 to support students in Barrington, N.S. during their recent Stuff-the-Cruiser Holiday Toy Drive.
RCMP Antigonish County District’s Stuff-A-Cruiser
The annual RCMP Antigonish County District’s Stuff-a-Cruiser event left a jam-packed patrol car stuffed with toys and raised $1,200 in cash donations that will make a difference to families in Antigonish County, N.S. this holiday season!
Elsipogtog Cram-the-Cruiser Food Drive
Members of the Elsipogtog RCMP in N.B. recently delivered food to Elders in the community following their Cram-the-Cruiser food drive.
Caledonia Region Cram-the-Cruiser
Members of the Caledonia Region RCMP, N.B. donated $912.69 to the Albert County Foodbank, and $912.70 to the SPOT Charitable Services in Petitcodiac following their Cram-the-Cruiser food drive.
Codiac Region Stuff-a-Cruiser
Following their recent Stuff-a-Cruiser event, the Codiac Region RCMP in N.B. donated 282 pounds of food and $1,171.30 in support of the Second Mile Food Bank.
Prairies
Sylvan Lake Charity Checkstop
For over 20 years, RCMP Members in Sylvan Lake, AB have joined forces with other local first responders to collect cash donations and donations of new toys and non-perishable food items in support of the local food bank and the local Christmas Bureau. This year, over $15,500 was raised in addition to lots of toys and food!
St. Albert Salvation Army Toy Drive
Cst. Rachel Glendenning and the team at the St. Albert AB RCMP organized a toy drive for the Salvation Army Toy Store and collected hundreds of toys for kids in their community.
Kitscoty RCMP donate winter essentials to support local charities
Cst. Jordan O’Quinn and his fellow Kitscoty RCMP Members recently donated winter essentials and professional attire to local shelters and charities in Lloydminster, AB. This generous initiative is making a difference in the community by providing warm clothes and boosting confidence for those attending job interviews, court appearances, or other important events.
Leduc Cram-a-Cruise Event
Members of the Leduc RCMP in AB teamed up with the City of Leduc and Leduc County Enforcement Services, Vintage Towing and Oil Country Towing, to hold a Cram-a-Cruiser event for the Leduc & District Food Bank. The team collected 4,886lbs of food and over $3,500 in donations for families in need this holiday season.
Sirens of the Season in Fort Macleod
Cst. Amanda Grouette and her colleagues from the Fort Macleod AB Detachment teamed up with the Fort Macleod Fire Department and EMS to host Sirens for the Season! The group headed through the town to show off their lights, greet community members, and collect food bank donations and donations for Toys for Tots. All the items raised support families in the Fort Macleod area.
Drumheller Cram-the-Cruiser
Members of the Drumheller RCMP in AB teamed up with Canadian Tire for a holiday Cram-the-Cruiser event to collect toys for Drumheller Salvation Army.
2024 First Responders Kick off to Christmas Toy and Food Drive in Lloydminster
Together with the Lloydminster Rescue Squad, the City of Lloydminster, the Lloydminster Fire Department, Medavie Health Services West- Northeast Alberta, Members of the Lloydminster RCMP took part in the 2024 First Responders Kick off the Christmas toy and food drive which brought in over $2,500 in cash donations, 4,800 lbs of food for local food banks and approximately $15,000 worth of toys and gifts.
Selkirk’s Christmas Parade
Members of the Selkirk RCMP, M.B. volunteered their time, decorated a float, and handed out candy as part of the Selkirk Christmas parade.
Battlefords Fill-A-Cruiser Event
Members of the Battlefords RCMP in SK gathered 3,340 lbs of food and $14,617 in cash donations for the local District Food and Resource Centre.
Members in Punnichy, Yorkton and Hudson Bay, SK Show their Holiday Spirit
Members of the Punnichy RCMP flexed their creative skills and carved out a police truck in a snowbank in front of the Punnichy Detachment for the community’s Christmas Lights Challenge.
Members of the Yorkton worked together to decorate a police vehicle to lead the City of Yorkton’s Annual Santa Claus Parade.
Members of the Hudson Bay RCMP worked with their community partners – the Hudson Bay Family and Support Centre and the Hudson Bay Red Apple, to collect toys and money to support families in their community.
B.C/The North
Ladysmith Light-Up Parade
Cst. Kraig Doskotch of the Shawnigan Lake RCMP paid out of pocket to decorate his RCMP truck and participated in the Ladysmith light-up parade on his own time. The kids in attendance loved taking pictures with The Grinch sitting in the front seat of the truck as well as the dinosaur in the truck bed. Cst. Doskotch has always loved watching kids get excited about seeing police cars, and participating in this event added an extra level of fun!
Penticton Cram-the-Kennel Event
The B.C. SPCA South Okanagan-Similkameen branch and the Penticton RCMP teamed up to host a Cram-the-Kennel event at the Cherry Lane Mall. The event raised $2,120 in cash and collected multiple kennels full of food and treats for animals that will be in SPCA care. During the event, Cpl. Jason Goodfellow, handler of Police Service Dog “Dug,” and Cst. Mike Richardson, handler of police service dog “Reiko”, put on engaging demonstrations.
Kelowna Stuff-the-Cruiser Events
A total of 924 unwrapped toys and $1,849 will be gifted to families in the Central Okanagan this holiday season thanks to annual Stuff-the-Cruiser fundraising events held with RCMP Members in Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country B.C.
Giving Back This Holiday Season – And Throughout The Year
As you can see our Members have been busy leading up to and during this holiday season, and we know there are many more events that have and are still taking place across the country! Thank you to our Members for organizing and supporting these initiatives and thank you to all the amazing Canadians who have donated money, toys, clothing, food and more! It is evident that community spirit is strong across our beautiful country, and there is no greater gift than that!
Many of our Members will be working over the holidays to ensure you and your families can enjoy a safe and happy time together. If you see a Member out in the community, this time of year and always, be sure to offer a wave and a smile and thank them for their service.
We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy, hopeful and safe New Year.
Photos included in this blog are courtesy of RCMP Members, Divisions and Detachments across the country.
