Kids across Halton will have some warm winter clothing thanks to the 4th annual Kozy Kids initiative.
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) launched their annual winter event this week. Until Thursday, October 31st, the HRPS is inviting residents and business owners to purchase and donate new snow suits (youth sizes 6-16) by dropping them into collection boxes stationed at any one of their locations:
- 2485 North Service Road West, Oakville (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- 95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
- 3800 Constable Henshaw Boulevard, Burlington (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
- 490 Childs Drive, Milton (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
- 217 Guelph Street, Georgetown (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
This initiative was kickstarted in 2021 after two HRPS Constables learned that a number of children, many of whom were newcomers to Canada, were regularly absent from school during the winter months as their families couldn’t afford to purchase winter apparel. That year, in Milton alone, 105 students were identified and received winter apparel. In 2022 and 2023, with the public’s support, 475 and 282 youth received winter clothing. This year, they’re aiming to break the 1,000 snow suit mark!
New this year, each snow suit will have a coat tag fastened to the zipper, advising youth and their families on how to report hate and bias-motivated incidents to the police. Each tag contains information in the region’s top five languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, and Urdu.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that some youth are missing school and are unable to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months because they don’t have a warm snow suit,” says Inspector Bruce Dickson, who oversees both the Youth Engagement Team and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit. “What’s even more upsetting is imagining the same people who need our support being the targets of incidents that are motivated by hate or bias. Those beliefs and behaviours have no place in our community, and we want residents to know that we’ve got their backs covered – not just when it comes to reporting such incidents, but in keeping youth warm over the winter.”
To learn more about hate and bias motivated crime and how to report it, click here.
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