The Saint John Police Force is once again helping less fortunate and vulnerable adults this holiday season.
Members of the force gathered on Tuesday to launch their fourth annual Holiday in a Box campaign.
Residents and businesses are challenged to fill undecorated shoeboxes with essential items and gifts.
Police Chief Robert Bruce said they collected 575 holiday boxes and 65 gift cards last year.
“It’s very clear to everybody in our city that we have more vulnerable people today than we ever had before,” said Bruce.
“We have found however the people of Saint John have always overwhelmingly supported our community and expect this to be no different this year.”
Representatives from each of the city’s five priority neighbourhoods, who will distribute the boxes, were also on hand for the launch.
Anne Driscoll, executive director of the Crescent Valley Resource Centre, said the simple shoebox can have a huge impact on those receiving them.
“Many of them are living alone, they don’t have family in the area, they have very meagre means to live off of,” said Driscoll.
Jasmine Chandra, chair of the Waterloo Village Neighbourhood Association, told a story about a “rather gruff” man in his 50s or 60s who received one of the boxes last year.
“When he received his box, he started to cry. The impact that had to be able to give him a gift and just to see the emotion in receiving that is just priceless,” said Chandra.
Boxes can be filled with day-to-day essentials such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, socks, gloves, toques, transit and gift cards.
Bruce also suggested items such as hot chocolate, wrapped candy, notebooks, pens and small adhesive tape.
“Think of somebody that has absolutely nothing. Think of how much you can fill that shoebox in and so try to find the biggest shoebox you can,” he said.
Once collected, the boxes will be wrapped and presented to the representatives of each of our five priority neighbourhoods, which also include the Carleton Community Centre, P.U.L.S.E. Inc. and ONE Change.
The holiday boxes can be dropped off at the Saint John Police headquarters (1 Peel Plaza) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays until Dec. 12.
