Coquitlam RCMP's 911 We Care Toy Drive starts today

A holiday toy drive run by dispatch and communications operators at Coquitlam RCMP launched today, Nov. 25.

And the 17th annual campaign is open to the public to make donations to SHARE Family and Community Services.

Jennifer Criss, who has organized the effort for the past four years, said the team at the detachment on Guildford Way — as well as at the RCMP community offices on Ridgeway Avenue in Coquitlam and Mary Hill Road in Port Coquitlam — hopes to beat last year’s results for the 911 We Care Toy Drive, which yielded 300 toys and $500 in cash contributions in 2023.

Over the past few years, donations have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in the cost of living, but Criss said she’s confident the 2024 toy drive will be back on track this season and, with the number of SHARE food bank recipients at an all-time high, people will give generously.

Until Friday, Dec. 13, the team is asking for new, unwrapped toys to be dropped off at the following RCMP locations:

Coquitlam RCMP detachment
- 2986 Guildford Way, Coquitlam
  - Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ridgeway community police office
- 1059 Ridgeway Ave., Coquitlam
  - Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
  - Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m.
  - Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mary Hill community police office
- 2581 Mary Hill Rd., Port Coquitlam
  - Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  - Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m.

Criss said the campaign is a good way for dispatch and communications officers to make a difference in the community and to make connections.

“We are faceless when it comes to being a first responder,” she told the Tri-City News this morning during an interview at the detachment.

On Monday, Dec. 16, Criss and other volunteers will haul the donated goods to the SHARE toy office by its food bank.

Since the 911 We Care Toy Drive started in 2009, it has generated thousands of gifts and money for the nonprofit, including bicycles, Barbie dolls, toy trucks and car sets and electronic gadgets.

“The holiday season often brings added financial pressure for many families," SHARE CEO Claire MacLean told the Tri-City News today.

"That burden and stress is held by the adults, but felt acutely by the children and teens in the home as well. SHARE’s holiday programs help brighten the lives of 2,000 Tri-Cities families by providing gifts for children and holiday food hampers for families and individuals. With the generous support of the Coquitlam RCMP, we can ensure every family is well-fed and every child has something special to treasure this holiday season.”

This year, SHARE has an urgent need for presents for tweens and teenagers. Here is the organization’s wish list:

Ages six to 10