Generosity in full swing as South Simcoe Police help build a 'Toy Mountain'
It's the season of giving, and the South Simcoe Police Service is truly getting in the spirit of the season.
On Friday, the service kicked off its 'Weekend of Giving,' holding multiple toy collection efforts throughout the region, with all donations going towards CTV's Toy Mountain campaign.
"I love the snowmen, so I even treated myself," one woman said as she donated decorative toy snowmen. "If I can afford to treat myself with one, then why not, right?"
Officers were stationed outside the Canadian Tire in Bradford from 4 – 8 p.m. on Friday, collecting as many toys as possible for the families who are registered with Family Connexions. This year approximately 3500 people are relying on the Toy Mountain campaign to have something to open on Christmas morning.
"It's a time of need this time of year like many," said Inspector Henry Geoffroy. "We go into the homes, and it just breaks our heart to see a child that doesn't have that present under the tree. So this is an opportunity to come down here and support Toy Mountain."
Many people either came by specifically to donate to the campaign or dropped something off on their way out of the store after seeing the collection effort underway.
"A lot of people don't have a lot of money for Christmas, so you have to be nice to people and make people happy," one young boy said, who was donating toys alongside his two brothers.
That boy's father says it served as an opportunity to teach his sons a valuable life lesson.
"Honestly, I feel like the spirit of giving is lacking these days, and it was nice to see them want to do it," said dad Alex Belleau. "They actually noticed you before we did."
The police will continue with their collection efforts on Saturday at the following locations in Innisfil:
- Canadian Tire – 1455 Innisfil Beach Road
- Sobey's – 2080 Jans Boulevard
For more information on the Toy Mountain campaign, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.