LPS Charity Checkstop set for this Saturday

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 30, 2022.

Herald file photo by Dale Woodard Lethbridge Police Service officers take donations at the Lethbridge Police Service Charity Checkstop Sunday afternoon at the Enmax Centre. Toys and food donations with to Christmas Hope Campaign as well as both food banks.

Lethbridge Police Service in partnership with the Christmas Hope Campaign are gearing up for the third annual Charity Checkstop this Saturday at the Enmax Centre. From noon until 4 p.m. officers and volunteers will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items in the parking lot at 2510 Scenic Drive S.

Donations will go to the Christmas Hope Campaign, a collaboration between six organizations in Lethbridge looking to bring Christmas cheer to all on Santa’s list.

“We have had enormous generosity from the communities in the last three years,” said Stewart Kambeitz, constable with LPS, and one of the organizers for the event. “We really feel the adversity that the community has faced, in the last three years specifically, has been tremendous to overcome. We want everybody to have the opportunity to help each other get through and provide to those families who don’t have (those opportunities).”

Supporters can drive up, drop off their donations, and drive away all with the help of LPS.

Seeing good turnout in previous years, LPS hopes to see the community come out and show support for those in need.

“We have had huge success, gathering thousands of toys and cash donations, and tons of non-perishable food items for all the food banks,” said Kambeitz. “This year we are gearing towards helping out the Christmas Hope Campaign, which is a collaboration of a number of different non-profits and organizations that help different families in the community. Being able to spread the generosity further in the community.”

Christmas Hope is in partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge, the Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Food Bank, Lethbridge Family Services’ Angel Tree, Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots, and My City Care’s Shop of Wonders.

LPS is helping towards the campaign by getting out and connecting with the community through Saturday’s event.

“It is great for the community members, we love to be able to provide in any kind of way to the community,” said Kambeitz. “It is great for the police officers to have that positive relationship, those positive interactions with the community.”

The Charity Checkstop is another way for the community to help contribute to the campaign while knowing their donations go to those in need.

“It is nice to be able to have this opportunity to deal with people in a positive interaction,” said Kambeitz. “To have that feeling that you are giving back in a positive way.”