Charity Checkstop aims to collect toys, food and cash for Christmas Hope campaign

The Lethbridge Police Service is getting ready for its sixth annual Charity Checkstop this Saturday.

Police officers and volunteers will be collecting new unwrapped toys, non-perishable food and cash donations at Park Place Mall.

Donated items will go to the seven charities involved with the Christmas Hope campaign.

The Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Food Bank, Lethbridge Family Services’ Angel Tree, MyCityCare’s Shop of Wonders, the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots, Volunteer Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization’s Golden Giving Tree are partnered for the Christmas Hope campaign.

This is the campaign’s 19th year.

The campaign aims to help more than 9,000 people this holiday season—6,000 children, 3,000 adults and 250 seniors.

“Supporting our community is at the heart of what we do. It truly is one of the most important things for us to be able to support people here,” said Const. Dana Holland with the LPS community engagement unit.

“Our members are proud to stand behind this initiative and help ensure families and individuals who are struggling have the support they need.”

“It really is important to see our community come together—our civic partners such as LPS and the City of Lethbridge come together—to support our partners like this,” said Lt. Zach Marshall with the Salvation Army Lethbridge.

“It’s a big boost for us, and it’s an event we look forward to every year.”

The Charity Checkstop will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.