Djeneba Dosso

LJI Reporter

On November 8, Gatineau police and the Fraternity of police officers of Gatineau (FPPG) announced the return of their ‘Cœur pour Noël’ initiative for an eighth consecutive year. Responsible for placing gifts under hundreds of children’s Christmas trees each year, the initiative catered to 1,199 children in 2023 and a total of 5,739 children over the last seven editions. 

As done in previous years, the two organizations have called on the generosity of the population of Gatineau, inviting them to participate in large numbers. 

Individuals wishing to participate can do so by going to police.gatineau.ca and completing the online registration form. Shortly after, they’ll receive an email detailing the first name, age, gender and the language of the child or children to be spoiled. Participants will purchase a gift valued at $25 to $30, as well as a gift bag for each child assigned to them ahead of the December 7 deadline to deposit gifts. 

Before the first week of December, the unwrapped gift(s) and separate gift bags will have to be deposited at the Promenades Gatineau. This year, it will also be possible for participants to deposit gifts at the Galeries Aylmer or the Buckingham Police Station. A full schedule of drop-off locations and times can be found below. 

On Christmas Day, the FPPG will distribute all the gifts, their way “to bring joy to the holiday season for many children in need.”

DROP OFF LOCATIONS AND TIMES

PROMENADES GATINEAU (1100, Maloney West Boulevard, Entrance 7, near restaurant area)

TUESDAYS: November 19, 26 and December 3 – between 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm

THURSDAYS: November 21, 28 and December 5 – between 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm

SATURDAYS: November 23 and December 7 – between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm

GALERIES AYLMER (181, Principale Street, Entrance 1)

MONDAY: November 25 – between 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm

BUCKINGHAM POLICE STATION (830, Georges Street)

MONDAY: December 2 – between 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm