IT is that time of the year when we start collecting donations for the Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive, say Surrey RCMP. The donations help brighten the holiday season for sick children and their families.

Donations from the toy drive will go to B.C. Children’s Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital. The yearly campaign of giving is held in memory of six-year-old Keian Blundell, an honorary member of the RCMP, who lost his battle with leukemia in 2014.

The 2023 Toy Drive is being organized by members of the Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit and Youth Unit.

New, unwrapped toys (suitable for all ages up to and including 18), cash donations, and gift cards will be gratefully accepted until December 14. People can drop off donations at the Surrey RCMP’s Main Detachment or at one of three District offices in Whalley/City Centre, Guildford, and Newton.

The Blundell family has also set up an Amazon Wish List for those who wish to give online.

Three community donation events will be held in support of the Toy Drive this year at the Guildford, Newton, and South Surrey Superstore locations on Friday, December 8, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Since 2017, close to 11,500 toys and $39,500 in cash donations have been collected by the Surrey RCMP for the toy drive. For more information, visit Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive 2023 on Facebook.

“Our police officers, staff, and volunteers at Surrey RCMP are honored to be part of Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive again this year. BC Children’s Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital will distribute these toys to the families of children impacted by medical challenges, both here in our community and across the province, easing the burden on parents in difficult times and bringing joy to the faces of kids. We thank the generous citizens of Surrey who make Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive so successful every year,” says Staff-Sgt. Nigel Pronger, Commander of Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit.