SURREY RCMP say they are hoping to make the holidays a little brighter for sick kids and their families by inviting the public to come out and support the annual Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive.
Between December 1 and 15, Surrey RCMP will be accepting donations of cash or new, unwrapped toys for the BC Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place Hospice in memory of six-year-old Keian Blundell, who was made an honourary member of the RCMP before he passed away from leukemia in 2014.
Donations can be dropped off at Surrey RCMP’s Main Detachment or one of their four District Offices in Whalley / City Centre, Newton, Cloverdale and South Surrey (District 2 Guildford office remains closed until 2019).
Officers, staff, and volunteers will also be on site accepting donations on the following days and locations:
- Saturday, December 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Real Canadian Superstore
7550 King George Boulevard - Saturday, December 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Real Canadian Superstore
14650 104th Avenue - Saturday, December 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Real Canadian Superstore
2332 160th Street
Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive began in 2012 when Keian Blundell, who had T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, was just five years old. Keian’s holiday wish was for every sick child to receive a gift during the holiday season. He lost his battle with leukemia in 2014, but his legacy lives on through this annual toy drive.
“Last year the Surrey RCMP and Surrey residents raised $3,600 in cash donations and over 4,200 toys for Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive,” says Surrey RCMP Constable Mark Peterse, lead organizer. “The Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit is proud to be organizing this toy drive in Surrey once again this year and we invite the community to join us in carrying on Keian’s wish this holiday season.”
“Through Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive, we carry on his desire to bring smiles to the children at BC Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice,” say Ryan and Chantal Blundell, Keian’s parents. “As we enter the seventh year of this toy drive, we are excited to work with the RCMP, as we collectively strive to deliver new, unwrapped toys and gifts to these special young children. Whether they are newborn or nearly 18 years old, every child is important and every child should experience joy and happiness during the holiday season. This was Keian’s wish and this is our mission – year after year. Our community has continually surrounded our family with love; during Keian’s diagnosis, treatment, passing and now as we live through his legacy. We know that Keian would be ecstatic to know his adopted RCMP brothers and sisters are helping his family honour his memory.”
For more information on Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive, visit the Surrey RCMP’s Facebook page and follow them on Twitter for updates.