Richmond RCMP’s Chief Supt. Will Ng will be taking a plunge in a dunk tank at the seventh annual Richmond Christmas Fund toy drive this Saturday.
Every year, the Richmond RCMP partners with Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG), which runs the Christmas Fund program, to collect toys to help underprivileged families celebrate the winter holidays.
Ng will be dunked in response to a local sponsor making a $10,000 donation. It’s a chilly send-off as he will be leaving the Richmond RCMP and taking on a new role with the BC RCMP later this year.
“If any other sponsors are up for the challenge, I’m willing to be dunked,” said Ng, who is encouraging for more donations to be dunked again.
“The reason why we are so committed (to the toy drive) is that we see our community supporting underprivileged families with young children who wake up on Christmas morning without presents, and this is our effort to help and assist our community to ensure everyone has a wonderful Christmas.”
Like every year, the public is encouraged to come to the toy drive and donate a new, unwrapped toy to stuff the RCMP cruiser or to make a monetary donation of $10 or more.
Everyone who makes a donation will receive a warm bag of mini-donuts and gummy-filled goodie bags.
The toy drive will take place at the Lansdowne Centre parking lot on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
RCRG is also hosting its second online auction to support the Christmas Fund program.
The auction, which is running from Nov. 22 to Dec. 6, will feature more than 180 items including gift cards, rounds of golf, electronics and appliances.
All the items have been donated by community members and local businesses, explained Ed Gavsie, president of RCRG.
“Even in a challenging economic climate, they’ve been incredibly generous in supporting our cause.”
The non-profit organization is hoping to encourage wide participation in the event with most of the starting bids for gifts set at $100 or less.
Headlining this year's online auction is the “live like a billionaire” package.
This package features a two-night stay at Richmond’s new boutique Versante hotel, the use of a 2022 Porsche during their stay, dinner at the Steveston Seafood House as well as other travel and dining deals.
Other luxury packages include weekend getaways to Whistler, Victoria and Las Vegas, as well as a day at a private membership racetrack in Oliver.
“There’s something for everyone – every interest and every price point. But we do have a universal message: every time you bid, a holiday wish comes true,” said Gavsie.
For more information about the online auction, visit rcf2021.givesmart.com
