Christmas Amalgamated uses smaller items to create gift baskets for older children and teens.

(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS – Local RCMP officers are getting into the spirit of the season by lending a hand to collect donations for Christmas Amalgamated this weekend and will be on hand at several locations Saturday so people can help Stuff the Cruiser.

Officers, auxiliaries and volunteers will be on hand at Walmart, Toys 'R' Us and Sahali Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday to collect new toys, clothing and food that will go towards hampers and gifts for the less fortunate families in the community.

Christmas Amalgamated runs completely on donations and after more than 30 years of providing Christmas to local families have compiled a list of suggested donations based on what they are often short on, from baby and boy items, to children's clothing and Christmas goodies like chocolate and nuts. This year the organization expects to help more than 2,000 families.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Cheryl Bush says they try to take part in several fundraisers every year and the toy and food drive is one that they try to do every year.

"We do see the need in the community," she says of why officers are quick to help out the Christmas campaign.

Other organizations are also trying to help out the holiday-specific charity as well. Westsyde Neighbourhood Watch has organized a toy drive at The Little Red Store, Oak Hills Grocery, Westsyde Fellowship Church and The Hamlets at Westsyde.

Other stores, offices and even daycare centres have also been collecting toys for the charity. Officers will stop by Kids Time Childcare in Aberdeen Friday to pick up the donations already collected for Stuff the Cruiser.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kamloops also is collecting items to provide hampers to local families and the Salvation Army bell ringers are out in full force around the city as part of the annual Kettle Campaign.

Christmas Amalgamated suggested items:
Items for babies
Gifts for boys ages 3-12
Clothing for children (newborn to 14 years)
Developmental toys (newborn to toddlers)
Toys, books, games
Grooming products (teen boys)
Chocolates, mixed nuts, soup, oranges, Christmas cake, tea or coffee

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013