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DEH CHO
Christmas was a bit brighter for a few families in the Deh Cho thanks to a toy-giving initiative that's in its second year.

Auxillary Const. Lee Cazon, left, acting Sgt. Robert Gallant and Const. Jesse Gilbert display the presents from the Toys for the North campaign that were ready to be delivered in the Deh Cho on Dec. 23. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Presents from the Toys for the North campaign were distributed by members of the RCMP to a family in Wrigley, three families each in Fort Simpson, Trout Lake and Jean Marie River as well as a few families in Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte in time for Christmas. The toys were donated by Toronto residents during the Toronto Santa Claus Parade and the Toronto Zoo's toy drive.

The campaign started as a result of discussions between various Toronto organizations and members of the RCMP, during which the RCMP brought up just how much some children in the North would appreciate a few extra toys around the holidays, said Jeff Hurst, the chair of the Canadian Toy Association (CTA).

"We felt there was a good opportunity to help make Christmases brighter for those children," Hurst said.

The campaign is made possible through the collaboration of the CTA, the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, the Toronto Zoo, the RCMP and various other toy and transportation companies.

This year the campaign collected more than $80,000 in toys, including donations of new toys from eight toy manufacturers. In its first year the initiative garnered more than $50,000 in donations.

This year the toys, destined for children in Nunavut, Yukon and the NWT, arrived in Yellowknife on Dec. 18 in a Hercules aircraft courtesy of the Trenton Royal Canadian Air Force 424 Squadron. The toys were wrapped and sorted according to communities' needs.

In Fort Simpson, the RCMP detachment enlisted the help of the local schools and social services to identify families who would benefit from receiving presents. We want to make sure that no family will be without presents, said acting Sgt. Robert Gallant.

On Dec. 23, Gallant drove half way to Fort Liard to meet members from that community's RCMP detachment and give them presents to deliver to Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte. Gallant also drove to Jean Marie River to deliver presents to three families.

Gallant said delivering the presents made him feel like Santa.

"To see a smile on a kid's face is priceless," he said.

-with files from Herb Mathisen

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