Helping Community Partner at Christmas
For more than four decades, the Toronto Police Service has been a steadfast supporter of the Toronto Children’s Breakfast Club, helping ensure that children and families across the Greater Toronto Area receive vital support when they need it most.
This Christmas season, when the Breakfast Club faced a shortage of toys for its annual gift-giving program, the organization turned once again to Toronto Police for help. The response was immediate.
“They stepped up and made it possible, and I say a big thank you,” said Rick Gosling, who founded the Toronto Children’s Breakfast Club in 1983.
The club provides nutritious meals and essential support to young people in some of Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods.
On December 19, toys remaining from the Toronto Police Auxiliary Toy Drive were donated to the Breakfast Club. These gifts helped fill a critical gap in the organization’s Christmas initiative, which supports approximately 10,000 families each year.
“The needs have increased, and these gifts are going to families we were not able to provide for,” said Executive Director Zubeda Nanji. “Had it not been for Toronto Police stepping up, there would have been a lot of disappointed children.”
Constable Blaise Kurucz and members of Toronto Police 43 Division, including Auxiliary officers, were proud to support the effort.
For Kurucz, the donation reflects a much larger and ongoing partnership between police and community organizations working together to uplift youth and families.
“The partnership we have with the Breakfast Club is strong and one we don’t take lightly,” said Kurucz. “When I learned they were short of toys this year, I approached our Auxiliary Toy Drive Committee to see if we could donate the remaining toys. They agreed, and here we are.”
Retired Auxiliary officer Carrie Malin started the Service’s Toy Drive in 1974 to bring smiles to the faces of children in shelters over the holidays as well as visit community centres to ensure every kid gets toys at Christmas.
The collaboration between Toronto Police, 43 Division and the Breakfast Club extend well beyond the holiday season.
In October 2024, the Breakfast Club partnered with ProAction Cops & Kids to support the First Gear Drive Education program, coordinated by Kurucz. The five-week program teaches students the rules of the road and prepares them with the knowledge and confidence to take their G1 driver’s exam.
Earlier this year, the Breakfast Club donated 200 bicycles to Toronto Police for officers to distribute to kids. Of those 10 were assigned to 43 Division. Kurucz and his team built the bikes alongside students who participated in last July’s Ride the Track event at the Toronto Indy Circuit, creating hands-on learning experiences and positive connections between youth and officers.
Just before the new school year began in September, the Breakfast Club filled two police cruisers with backpacks packed with school supplies that officers distributed. The organization has also provided food for distribution to local food banks and jackets for individuals in need.
“Together, these initiatives demonstrate the impact of strong partnerships between police, community organizations, and volunteers,” said Kurucz. “By working collaboratively, they are able to address real needs, build trust and create meaningful opportunities for young people and families across Toronto, especially during times when support matters most.”
