RCMP to send thousands of toys to Nunavut

RCMP members helped collect donated Christmas gifts in Toronto Nov. 21. The gifts will be sent to children in need living in three northern territories next month as part of the first Toys for the North campaign. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RCMP)

An initiative of the 2010 Toronto Santa Claus Parade has collected thousands of toys destined for Nunavut children this holiday season.

The RCMP helped collect donated toys during the Nov. 21 event as part of the first Toys for the North campaign.

“Toronto residents embraced this initiative and with their generosity, we watched as the pile of toys grew as the parade went by,” said RCMP spokesman Marc Laporte. “The mountain of toys donated was very impressive.”

As the police of jurisdiction across much of the north, the RCMP will also take part in the distribution of the toys through their network of detachments during the holidays.

Officers will work with community elders, councils and community leaders to identify the communities, families and agencies with children most in need, Laporte said.