Port Alberni RCMP officers delivered some Christmas cheer on Friday.
Staff at the RCMP station spent the afternoon filling socks with toiletries and goodies before delivering them to the homeless in the community. They filled 52 socks, and planned to walk the streets between 5 and 7 p.m. to hand them out.
Port Alberni Cst. Pete Batt said fresh socks are the most-needed item from people who are living on the streets. This is the first year that the RCMP has taken on the initiative, which was previously done by a local church.
“We wanted to give back to the community,” said Batt. “Our job is to get out on the street, anyway. It’s such an easy thing, socks.”
The socks were filled with items like soap, shampoo, combs, nail files and tampons—as well as a small amount of candy.
“To make life a little more comfortable over the holidays,” explained Batt.
“And a treat to top it off,” added Cpl. Amelia Hayden.