TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - The toys are on the move! Nearly 7000 children in Canada's most isolated communities will be receiving a new toy this season thanks to the volunteers of the Toys for the North toy drive. Now in the fourth year, the R.C.M.P. coordinates the sorting, transportation and delivery of all the toys and each year assists in the selection of the communities who will receive them.
The majority of the toys are donated by the member companies of the Canadian Toy Association representing Canada's toy industry. Thomson Terminals provides the warehousing and transportation for the first leg of the journey where the toys are sorted and wrapped. This year Thomson Terminals has designed a special "Toys for the North" truck trailer emblazoned with the logos of all the major partners and donor companies. Along with a generous donation of diapers and baby wipes from Kimberly-Clark and wrapping paper from Hallmark Canada, the fully loaded transport truck rolled down the 401 highway in a transport truck enroute to Canadian Forces Base Trenton. The logistics involved in getting thousands of toys from a warehouse in Toronto to isolated communities is made considerably easier by the Canadian Forces who load the toys (and diapers) onto planes and trucks wherever there is available cargo space, and send them to staging points in Winnipeg, Goose Bay and northern Ontario.
For photos visit the Ontario RCMP Newsroom and click on this news release.
"2 Air Movements Squadron is very good at making sure cargo gets to the right destination", added Lieutenant-Colonel (Lt.-Col.) David Alexander, 8 Wing Chief of Staff. "This is very much a multi-faceted effort and we (Canadian Armed Forces) are thrilled and excited to support the RCMP", concluded Lt.-Col. Alexander.
From loading the toys at Thomson Terminals, Insp. Todd Gilmore, the R.C.M.P. National Coordinator of Toys for the North then made his way to Trenton for the arrival of the transport truck. "I arrived there at around 10 am and was extremely well received by the Canadian Forces. Their machine was in motion and being part of the team that, together, sends that thoughtful message of warmth and caring is truly an enriching experience …" said Insp. Gilmore.
The R.C.M.P. members, families and community volunteer groups in the northern communities volunteer their time to wrap and label the toys and get them further on their way to communities which may only be accessible by float plane, ice highway or snowmobile. Wherever possible, R.C.M.P. and local leaders coordinate an event where families can gather for a festive day or evening celebration around the toy distribution to every child.
"Our members serve the communities, in which they live and work, in many significant ways each and every day, whether it is through coaching, teaching, mentoring or other volunteer activities," explained RCMP Inspector Todd Gilmore. "It's very rewarding to be part of a such a positive force, especially during the holiday season when giving can mean so much, sending a warm message across great distances that we care about all Canadians, all peoples that make up this great country no matter where they live, being part of an effort to bring joy and happiness to children and families in some of the farthest reaches of Canada. "
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Media Contact:
Sgt. Richard Rollings
RCMP Media Relations
"O" Division (Ontario)
416-992-4409
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Website: RCMP in Ontario
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