Moose Jaw’s four emergency service organizations will engage in friendly rivalry during the next couple of weeks as they see who can collect the most winter clothing for the Salvation Army.
The Moose Jaw Police Service is challenging the RCMP, fire department and Medavie Health Services (ambulance) to fill as many police vehicles as possible with winter attire — such as boots, jackets, scarves and mitts — so the gear can go to Sally Anne. The initiative, appropriately enough, is called “Fill the Squad Car.”
The challenge starts now and goes until Thursday, Dec. 8. Officers will travel to each first responder building to collect the clothing and fill squad cars. The group that fills the most vehicles wins the challenge.
Residents with gently used clothing can take the items to their preferred first responder building — or directly to the Salvation Army’s venues.
This is the first year for the initiative, although organizers hope it is successful and want to make it an annual event, explained Const. Reggie Pawliw. Several in-house police groups — including community strategic services and victims services — came together recently to brainstorm ways to support the community.
Their collaboration produced the “Fill the Squad Car” project.
“I just believe in Moose Jaw (that during) our winter seasons, we have some pretty cold weather … and I feel like I’ve seen lots of people throughout Moose Jaw in the past couple of years not wearing the appropriate winter clothing,” said Pawliw.
“Obviously, they might be homeless (or) they might be struggling (with) other addictions needs and whatever else. So I thought this would be good to help those in need.”
The police service doesn’t have a goal of how many squad cars it wants to fill, but Pawliw noted it would be great if each emergency services organization each packed one car.
Pawliw agreed that this project would allow the four first responder organizations to engage in friendly rivalry and participate in a mini challenge of collecting the most clothing. Yet, the community will be the big winner of this initiative.
The constable added that the winning emergency services organization would win bragging rights but no prize because this was the activity’s first year.
Residents interested in donating gently used clothing — winter or otherwise — can drop off the items in the lobbies of their preferred emergency services organization.
The Moose Jaw Police Service is located at 21 Fairford Street West, the RCMP office is at 240 Saskatchewan Street East, the north fire hall is at 1205 Main Street North, the south fire hall is at 750 Lillooet Street West, and Medavie Health Services is at 777 High Street West.
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army office is at 175 Five Avenue Northeast, its warehouse is at 670 High Street West and its church is at 2 Wintergreen Drive.
