Toronto police officers bring good cheer and gifts to hundreds of newcomers with Project Hope
Two Toronto police officers are continuing a tradition of giving away toys, warm clothing and cheer to hundreds of newcomers this holiday season.
At a giveaway in Mississauga Monday, inside Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services, 250 people, mostly children, received gifts. This year, they expect to help about 2,000 people.
“[It feels] really nice,” said 12-year-old Jeremiah from Ukraine, showing off his new Lego set.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“I love Canada so much, better than my own country. And they are giving everyone toys, and I’m so happy about that,” said 10-year-old Zora from Afghanistan, who was thrilled with her new game of UNO.
Project Hope was created by two Toronto police officers, Det. Const. Mustafa Popalzai, a refugee from Afghanistan, and Const. Farzad Ghotbi, a refugee from Iran.
“The feeling is hard to put into words, but obviously, it’s extremely humbling,” Ghotbi told CTV News Toronto. “I never thought as a refugee I would be standing here before you, that I’m able [to] help some of the families and welcome them and tell them you do have a hope here of a better future.”
Two Toronto police officers are continuing a tradition of giving away toys, warm clothing and cheer to hundreds of newcomers this holiday season. (CTV News Toronto)
This is Project Hope’s third year, realized thanks to donations from corporate sponsors and the work of community volunteers.
On top of bringing happiness and helping provide essential items, Popalzai and Ghotbi aim to share what it means to be Canadian and break down barriers about law enforcement.
“I never trusted police as well, and I never wanted to be a cop when I arrived,” said Popalzai. “It took me about 10 years to interact with officers, and that’s something we want to change; we want to make sure they don’t feel the way I felt. I want to make sure they don’t feel intimidated or scared of police.”
Two Toronto police officers are continuing a tradition of giving away toys, warm clothing and cheer to hundreds of newcomers this holiday season. (CTV News Toronto)
For many families receiving presents, this will be their first Christmas away from home.
“It’s very important because it’s the festive period, and everyone is home. We celebrate Christmas in a grand style,” said Grace, who moved with her two kids from Nigeria in October.
“We enjoy this community and program too much,” said Mohammed, who arrived last month with his wife and child.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
Tornadoes collapse buildings and level homes in Nebraska and Iowa
Tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday in the Midwest, causing a building to collapse with dozens of people inside and destroying and damaging hundreds of homes, many around Omaha, Neb.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
From New York to Arizona: Inside the head-spinning week of Trump's legal drama
The first criminal prosecution of a former president began in earnest with opening statements and testimony in a lower Manhattan courtroom. But the action quickly spread to involve more than half a dozen cases in four states and the nation's capital. Twice during the week, lawyers for Trump were simultaneously appearing in different courtrooms.