Dozens of families in northern Saskatchewan will answer the door to see RCMP officers holding gingerbread houses and board games this Christmas Eve.
The gift drive they're delivering aims to brighten the holidays for about 300 families after a difficult year. It's organized by RCMP, and La Ronge-based organizations Men of the North and Children North's Early Childhood Intervention Program.
Men of the North's Jacob Kokura said "2020 has been a really hard year for many families. Even leading up to this year, there are many families across the north who are struggling.
"Our hope for this initiative is to provide a little joy where perhaps none was expected."
Men of the North's founder, Christopher Merasty, said the group funded the project to the tune of $10,500, supported by donations and the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
RCMP Sergeant Josh Hallet said the police force's widespread detachments and officers made it a natural fit to deliver the gifts. As of Monday, the list of communities where officers will deliver presents included Southend, Sandy Bay, Deschambault Lake, Wollaston Lake, Pelican Narrows, La Ronge, Stanley Mission and Pinehouse.
He said most presents will likely be delivered on Christmas Eve or the day before.
Daina Lapworth, executive director of Children North, said the deliveries will be welcome in households where people have had little opportunity to travel south to shop during the pandemic.
She expects some airlines to assist with fly-in community deliveries. Lapworth said her organization works with about 1,000 children who will receive gifts this year.
These efforts initially began with a toy drive with The Bargain Shop. After that, Men of the North joined to bolster the efforts with gingerbread, board games and other presents for all children in the involved households.
She said that will allow them to buy gifts for teens, who may not always receive the same attention during the holidays.
"It's just been amazing to have the whole north jump on board and help with this project," she said.
As the group began wrapping mostly locally-sourced presents on Monday afternoon, Kokura said he hoped the gifts remind young people they're not alone during the holidays.
"They may feel alone, but they're not. There are people who want to be able to do something," he said.
"There are men and women in the north who understand, have been in their shoes, perhaps, and can do what they can and when they can to make a difference in their lives."
