It's amazing the difference that can be made when individuals come together for the greater good.
That was the message Jacob Hespeler Secondary School students were sharing on Wednesday morning as they filled a Waterloo Regional Police Service cruiser full of toys to be donated to those in need as part of the stuff-a-cruiser campaign.
"I thought it was really important we spread cheer around the holiday season," Alexis Koiter, a Grade 11 student at JHSS, said.
"It's important to get our school involved in our community."
Aside from the toys collected, the students also raised $700 through the sale of candy cane grams and a bake sale.
With the help of special education students, teachers and members of the community, Koiter was thrilled with the impact they've made.
"It's amazing to see how much we can do when our community comes together," Koiter said.
"It's nice to see that our students care and they want to help out."
Megan Cairns, a leadership teacher at the school, said the initiative began with the students deciding how they wanted to give back to the community throughout the semester.
When a toy drive was selected, they chose to reach out to WRPS to form a partnership.
"I think it's really special for students to see the community that they're a part of is supportive," Cairns said.
"It gives them a lot of pride in being part of this community because they see first hand the work that they put in making the holidays a little more special."
When the students contacted the service, it was a natural fit for everyone involved.
"We were so excited when they reached out to us," Cherri Greeno, director of corporate affairs for WRPS, said.
"This is the the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow."
For the WRPS, not only is the stuff-a-cruiser campaign a way to give back, but it allows officers and members of the service to connect with the community and build positive relationships.
"It's not just about the badge, it's about officers who truly care about the community," Greeno said.
"Because of the community, there's going to be thousands of children who wake up with a smile on their face on Christmas morning."
So far, over 6,300 toys and roughly $6,000 in monetary and gift card donations have been raised.
The campaign ends this Sunday with a collection at the KW Titans game.
