Last year’s Cram the Command Post Toy Drive, launched by the South Simcoe Police Service, collected so many donations “the command post was completely stuffed. There were toys, gift cards,” said Police Chief Andrew Fletcher.
The donations filled every cupboard and overflowed to the point that some of the donations had to be put into storage before they could be distributed.
Cram the Command Post supports CTV’s Toy Mountain campaign. All of the donations go to families in Simcoe County and Muskoka, who are in care or receive services from Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions (formerly the Children’s Aid Society).
This year’s drive kicked off in South Simcoe on Nov. 30. Police officers, auxiliaries and volunteers set up outside the Canadian Tire Store in Alcona to accept donations.
“We’ve been here for less than an hour, and the generosity’s been incredible so far,” said Fletcher. Shoppers sometimes stopped, asked what the event was all about, then headed into the store and returned with bags of toys and gifts.
“It’s amazing,” said Fletcher. “They don’t even think about it – they just donate.”
The toy drive will be collecting in Bradford West Gwillimbury this Friday and Saturday.
On Dec. 7, the Command Post will set up outside the Walmart at 545 Holland St. W. from 2-8 p.m.
On Dec. 8, donations will be accepted outside Canadian Tire at 430 Holland St. W. in Bradford, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donations can also be dropped off at the South and North Division police stations during the week. Bradford headquarters is located at 81 Melbourne Dr.
At the kick-off in Innisfil, local Coun. Carolyn Payne was among those dropping off donations at the Canadian Tire collection. In addition to new, unwrapped toys and gift cards, the drive accepts donations of non-perishable food, and the councillor brought a bagful.
“I’ve got everything from soup, to nuts” to be passed on to the Innisfil Food Bank, she said.