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Toys for Tots delivers for children in Halton By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 9 · Friday, November 20, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Everyone believes in Santa -- even if they don't admit it -- especially Halton police. So, for 10 years now, the Halton Regional Police Service has run Toys for Tots so that no kid wakes up Christmas morning without a gift under the Christmas tree. "Every child should wake up Christmas morning knowing Santa didn't forget them," said Sherrie Sadauskas. Sadauskas is the provincial firearms officer for the Halton police and co-ordinates the Toys for Tots program with Det. Const. Mike Skoularicos. It starts now and runs to Dec. 20. Cash donations can be made at any Canadian Tire store and toy donations can be made at any local police station. "Like I said last year, it's about that one smile on Christmas morning and that's where we step in. The Halton Regional Police Service and its program partners want to say `You matter and we're here to help you.' It makes a difference in a child's life," said Sadauskas. And the community stands behind its women and men in blue. "It's amazing how much our community has really gotten behind the program," said Sadauskas. They have the evidence to prove it. Last year, the program, which sees police partner with seven Halton Canadian Tire stores, the Salvation Army across Halton, Halton Honda and Mandarin Restaurant, aimed to collect $54,000. It raised a record-setting $80,000 and served more than 1,300 families across Halton -- 600 of them in Oakville. In Oakville alone, the Salvation Army provided for 1,879 children who woke up with a toy or gift under the tree on Dec. 25. Halton Regional Police Chief Gary Crowell, on hand to kick off the program's 2009 edition, tipped his hat, not only to pro9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER SANTA'S HELPERS: Launching the Toys for Tots program were (clockwise from the top right) Detective Constable Mike Skoularicos, Santa's elves, Sarah Mitchell, Claire Kumagai, and Selina Mule, and Sherrie Sadauskas, also of the Halton Regional Police Service. gram partners and organizers, as well as supporters, but also to the man who founded it two decades ago -- a former co-worker. The late Jim Richmond, who retired a staff sergeant with the Peel Regional Police, began Toys for Tots. "He felt that we could do something just a little bit better for those less for conquer costs ® Combine coverage an Combine coverage and omb n coverage and verage verag nd erag e DEFINITELY THERE See Oakville page 11 BETTER! WHY WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IS PAYING OVER 50% OFF THE PRICE OF YOUR NEW FURNACE & A/C Up $ * Cash Back to WAIT? SCRATCH it can also save you money & WIN * ® AN 6680 D *Call for details. Financing Available LIMITED TIME Take advantage of our SCRATCH & SAVE. A chance to win a furnace & central air.* See store for details. GOV. CASH BACK UP TO UP TO UP TO UP TO $3580 + $1200 + $550 + $1350 MANUFACTURERS CASH BACK OVER 60,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS NO PAYMENT! NO INTEREST! FOR 6 MONTHS *OAC HYDRO CASH BACK TAX CREDIT Darryl R Demille Ins Agcy Ltd Andrew Heideman, Agent Angelo Gualtieri, Agent Deborah E Bartucci, Agent A+ Rating Stacey Sutherland, Agent Stephen Ostapchuk, Agent Daniel Durst, Agent 9 Locations To Serve You Better! www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 905-849-4998 P087023CN 08/08 statefarm.ca®