Officers accepting donations and items to help newly-arrived refugees to Canada.
Hope for Holidays.
Some Toronto Police officers are collecting donations, toys, and winter wear to help refugees who are new arrivals to Canada.
This is the third year officers involved in Project Hope are trying to brighten the lives of refugees by collecting toys, school supplies, winter jackets and new and used tablets and laptops to help families.
The project is “brightening the lives of refugees by letting them know that many people are wishing them health and happiness in their first holiday season in Canada,” according to police.
Consts. Mustafa Popalzai and Farzad Ghotbi started Project Hope in 2021 to support the newcomers.
“Nearly 1,000 refugee families will benefit from this year’s exercise,” said Constable Mustafa Popalzai, of the distribution to families staying in temporary shelters and hotels.
There are many other refugees who cannot get beds in shelters and are forced to sleep on the sidewalk as the temperature dips.
“We want to bring joy to the many newcomers and refugees from across the world as they celebrate their first season in Canada,” he said.
Donations and items are being accepted until December 10 at a number of police stations.
Popalzai and Const. Farzad Ghotbi started Project Hope in August 2021 to support the newcomers.
Then there were thousands of people arriving in Canada from Afghanistan with ‘nothing more than the clothes on their back after the collapse of the government.’
Since then, 26,735 Afghan refugees have arrived in Canada, according to the federal government.
With support of other police officers, agencies, community organizations and individuals, they have collected and delivered more than $500,000 in donations.
Newcomers are delighted to receive the items since they could not afford it otherwise.
Some of the many items donated to help refugees enjoy their early days in Canada.
Both officers know first-hand how it feels to arrive without much in a strange country, where they speak a different language.
Popalazai is a refugee from Afghanistan and Ghotbi was a claimant from Iran.
Popalzai arrived from Kabul with his family in 2000 to flee the Taliban. His father was an artist who received death threats from the Taliban who had banned some forms of art and human photography.
The officers also provide information sessions to address questions and concerns about Canadian laws and the role of the police.
Project Hope is seeking school supplies like backpacks, stationary, lunch bags; baby care products as diapers, wipes, strollers and baby formula. They are also are in need of hygiene products like shampoo or deodorants, gift cards and new unwrapped toys.
Donations and items being collected by Project Hope includes baby and computer goods and health care items.
Donations are being accepted until December 10 at a number of Toronto Police stations.
Donations can be made at police headquarters at 40 College Street, 51 Division at 51 Parliament Street, 53 Divison at 75 Eglinton Ave. W., 31 Division at 40 Norfinch Dr., both in North York, and 32 Division at 30 Ellerslie Ave., in Scarborough.
Items or donations can also be left at 41 Division at 2222 Eglinton Ave. E., 42 Division at 242 Milner Ave., or 43 Division at 4331 Lawrence Ave. E.