The Fourth Annual Saint John Police Service Holiday in a box This campaign made it possible to collect more than 600 boxes and 225 additional gift cards for residents of five priority neighborhoods.

On Friday morning, Saint John Police Chief Robert Bruce announced the results of the campaign with representatives from each of the five wards.

Inside each wrapped box are a number of everyday essentials for the city’s vulnerable adults, including toiletries, socks, mittens and a gift card to a place like Dollarama or Tim Hortons.

“I think you couldn’t be more proud of the people,” Bruce says of the residents who contribute to the cause. “Some sports teams, schools, families getting together, we have a lot of older people putting boxes together and other groups of people doing it. I think it says a lot about the type of city we live in, that we say, “Hey, we won’t forget (the vulnerable population). » It’s a small part, but it’s a lot.

Bruce says this year’s results are close to those seen in previous years since the first campaign was held in 2021.

One of the priority neighborhoods to return more than 100 boxes to their community is A change in the north of the city. The grassroots organization and service provider tackles issues such as crime, poverty, unemployment, poor health and lack of education.

The 2924 Holiday in a Box campaign raised hundreds of gifts. (Source: Avery MacRae/CTV News Atlantic)

Executive Director Tamara Kelly says this donation means a lot to the people in her community.

“This might be the only gift they get this year,” Kelly says. “And it has all the essential elements you need that we take for granted.”

Kelly says the boxes also include gloves and hats to help keep people warm during the winter.

“These are things you put aside when you need to buy milk, if you need eggs, if you need to pay your rent, anything else,” she says. “So it’s a good help.”

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.