NEWMARKET, ON – December 15, 2020 – The uniform and civilian members of York Regional Police Association (YRPA) have dug deep and provided over $10,000 in funding to ensure sure some well-deserved families in York Region have a brighter holiday season this year. On Monday, December 14th, 12 York Region families and individuals received much needed gifts and financial support as part of the Association’s Random Acts of Christmas campaign with Jewel 88.5FM.
“This is the third year the YRPA has run the Random Acts of Christmas campaign, but this year’s campaign has a new meaning,” said Rob O’Quinn, President, York Regional Police Association. “The current pandemic is placing unprecedented pressures on our social services, shelters, food banks and charities. There is job loss, more people struggling to make ends meet and even questioning whether they will be able to make their monthly rent.”
“Every day, our members see first-hand how difficult this year has been for our communities in York Region. We wanted to do our own part to ensure some families are able to celebrate the holidays the way they should,” said Rob O’Quinn, President, York Regional Police Association.
YRPA members have used money from their member dues to purchase grocery gift cards to help with Christmas dinners, new winter coats, boots and clothing, children’s toys, baby items such as diapers and wipes, and gift cards to purchase gifts to place under the tree for Christmas morning. Recipients of this year’s Random Acts of Christmas campaign included single parents, individuals suffering from terminal illness, families experiencing job loss due to the pandemic, newcomers to Canada, and families struggling through the realities of COVID-19.
Throughout the month of November, YRPA and Jewel 88.5FM asked members of the public to nominate families or individuals in their community who might need a helping hand in the spirit of the holiday season. Both YRPA and Jewel 88.5FM were overwhelmed by the amount of nominations they received and the many accounts of York Region families and individuals who were facing hard times or struggling to make ends meet. But with the help of YRPA uniformed and civilian members along with the generous support of 5 local businesses, the campaign provided 12 families with much needed gifts. Co-sponsors included: The Country Day School, Garbage Plus Disposal, Jennifer Jones Real Estate Team, Unionville Appliance and Chouinard Brothers Roofing Experts.
“After the year we have all experienced, kindness and generosity are just what the world needs right now,” said Rob O’Quinn, President, York Regional Police Association. “Everyone can do something, even if it’s small, or even if it feels insignificant. The simplest act can brighten someone’s day and reinforce the true meaning of Christmas.”
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Media Contact: Erika Mieto, Senior Communications Advisor, York Regional Police Association, 905-751-5885, emieto@yrpa.ca
About YPRA: As one of Canada’s leading police associations, York Regional Police Association (YRPA) represents over 2,400 uniformed officers and civilian members of York Regional Police. Established in 1971, the association is dedicated to serving the women and men who protect the York Region community. In the last five years, the association has donated over $218,000 to various charities and organizations.