NAPS officers launch toy drive

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service officers launched a pair of toy drives to ensure the youth of Mishkeegogamang Ojibway First Nation Eabametoong First Nation had an unforgettable Christmas.
NAPS Sr. Const. Mel Coles and Const. Amanda Paul, along with OPP Const. Josh Debock and auxiliary officer Tom Lockwood of the Pickle Lake detachment distributed posters for the toy drive and collected the donations.
The Northern Store located in Pickle Lake offered a 25 per cent discount for any purchases toward the toy drive.
The officers then delivered more than $2,000 worth of donated toys to Tikanagan Child and Family Services of Mishkeegogamang Dec. 17.
They were accepted by Leslie Mathe for distribution.
Coles said the toy drive was a good thing for the children at Christmas time.
In Eabametoong, NAPS officers teamed with the OPP Thunder Bay detachment, OPP Provincial Communications Centre, OPP Dryden detachment, Wal-Mart in both Thunder Bay and Dryden, Canadian Tire Dryden, Slate River Baptist Church and many individuals to bring
Christmas cheer. Wasaya also supported the initiative by transporting the donations to the community free of charge.
The delivery – an early visit from Santa, was made Dec. 20.
Gift were distributed at the community school at a Christmas Party.
Santa Claus had the children lined up by the hundreds to receive gifts, all made possible by the kindness of so many in the region, NAPG Sgt. Jackie George said in a release.