Residents are being encouraged to help fill a police cruiser with toys and food this weekend as the Kamloops RCMP and local volunteers host their annual Stuff the Cruiser event in support of Christmas Amalgamated.
The donation drive runs Saturday, November 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Superstore in Sahali, where officers, Crime Prevention volunteers, a member in Red Serge, and the ever-popular Sgt. Safety Bear will be on hand to greet donors.
“Typically most people go to the store and purchase something,” said Sandro Piroddi, the City of Kamloops Crime Prevention Coordinator. “You can also drop stuff here at the North Shore Community Policing Office at 915 7th Street. We just want an unwrapped gift — that’s all we ask. Any donations are greatly appreciated.”
Piroddi says the event has become a long-standing local tradition, one that lets police give back while supporting a charity that helps families during the holidays.
“Our police force has been doing this for many years in Kamloops,” he said. “It’s a good way for them to get involved in the community and help families that are in need during this festive time. They want to be in the community as much as they can.”
The event collects toys, non-perishable food items, and gift certificates, all of which go directly to Christmas Amalgamated for distribution in holiday hampers throughout Kamloops. A new option this year encourages donors to consider a $5 gift card, which will help purchase turkeys for family dinners.
While organizers don’t set specific targets, last year’s Stuff the Cruiser brought in more than 2,000 items and hundreds of dollars in cash donations.
“Usually we just want to get a few police cruisers stuffed — and we’ve always done that,” Piroddi said. “We have overwhelming support from the community, and we just want to keep that consistency going. People can give whatever they can.”
Those unable to attend Saturday’s event can drop off unwrapped donations at the North Shore Community Policing Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., closed from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, call 250-376-5099.
