The Blueridge Community Association donated 200 gift bags to officers and staff at the North Vancouver RCMP detachment, only weeks after delivering 450 such gift packages to the front-line workers at the Lions Gate Hospital.
From cookies and hands sanitizers to beer and gift certificates, local businesses and community came together to show their appreciation for the local police force.
Eric Andersen, the president of the Blueridge Community Association, said the police officers are also front-line workers, too, and they engage daily in situations when they do not know if the parties involved may have COVID-19.
Andersen said many generous businesses and individuals from the community donated to make the huge “thank you” gesture a success, including 14 in-kinds sponsors, and a number of families and individuals with personal donations and participation in our wine auction for this project.
Each gift bag also contained an individually signed card with a “Thank You” message. Blueridge Community Association volunteers dedicated many hours to organizing this project which was greatly appreciated by the RCMP, he added.
Sergeant Peri Mainwaring of North Vancouver RCMP said the entire detachment was very appreciative of the gifts.
“You made so many people smile and feel appreciated. It was so special this morning to see some of the hardworking community members who put this together and the gifts themselves were amazing – from the wonderful surprises in every bag to the beautiful words from so many kind people in Blueridge,” he said.
Here are the community members and businesses that made cash and in-kind donations.
Amy Pankratz
Anita Montgomery
Anne Stobart
Ariyanna Pascuzzi
Ayesha Hirji
Barb Rennie
Elmira Nazar
Eric G. Andersen
Hannah Welwood
Heather Gall
Ian Robertson
Jenny Simpson
Karnak Pro Builders c/o Kirsty Baker
Lisa Muri
Marnie Armstrong
Nicola Ros
Special Times Out of School Care c/o Fariba Leilaby
Stacie and Syd Graham
St. Simon’s Church
Tammy and Martyn Shaw
Ted Bancroft
The Arm Group
BlueShore Financial
Bucha Brew
Deep Cove Kayak
Dollarton Liquor Store
Lush Cosmetics
Nesters Market
The NSMBA
Room 6
Special Times Out of School Care c/o Fariba Leilaby
Toby’s Pub
United Strangers Coffee
Vancouver In The Box, Packing Services
Andersen said he would also like to thank Wildeye Brewing, who were able to donate 200 large cans of beer to North Shore Rescue.
