Peel Police calls on pipe band community to support toy drive

After thieves stole an entire trailer of toys on September 26th that was destined for needy kids, the Grade 1 Peel Regional Police Pipe Band of Brampton, Ontario, decided to step up to help, asking all pipers and drummers from the area to support a recovery program.

 

They’re calling on the Ontario pipe band community to bring donations to the band’s practice on Saturday, November 7th, at the Peel Regional Police, Emil Kolb Centre, 180 Derry Rd. E., Mississauga, Ontario between 11 am and 1 pm.

 

“We were moved and saddened by the theft of these toys and the thought of kids that may go without as a result,” said the band’s Pipe-Major John Cairns. “We felt that we had to do something to help out. We should be able to come up with 50 or 60 toys from within the band and hope that our challenge to others in the pipe band community will be met. What a great way for the pipe band community in Ontario to come together in support of a wonderful cause.”

 

The stolen toys were surplus from the 2008 Toys for Tots campaign, held annually by the Peel Police force, and were destined for about 7,000 children via the Salvation Army

 

Each member of the band has already committed to contribute a new unwrapped toy, with a value of between $20 and 30, suitable for both boys and girls.

 

Cairns added that if anyone from the pipe band community can’t make it on November 7th, gifts can be mailed to the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band, c/o PO Box 32, 1978 Winslow Cres., Brights Grove, Ontario N0N 1C0 Canada.

 

He said that the pipe band community drive will press ahead even if the trailer is recovered.