OPP officers packing groceries for annual summer camp

OPP packing groceries/ (Source: OPP)

Ontario Provincial Police officers in Essex County will be packing groceries and raising funds for a good cause this week.

“This Thursday, April 2, we will be at both the Kingsville Zehrs and Tecumseh Zehrs from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. packing groceries for our annual Essex County Cop Camp fundraiser,” says Community Engagement Officer Chris Ciliska.

Ciliska says the annual Essex County Cop Camp for local students takes place in August at Gesstwood Camp in Essex.

“We send up to 80 kids, grade 6 students from the local schools here that we do our kids’ program in,” says Ciliska. “The teachers pick some kids to go for the week in August and do various activities to build on their leadership qualities.”

Officers packing groceries at a local Zehrs store.OPP West Region Instagram

He says donations will help pay for the cost of the camp.

“Last year I think it was just over $35,000 to operate, so this is one of our biggest events to raise funds along with our golf tournament, which we hold in July,” he says.

Ciliska says it’s a chance for the community to talk with the officers.

“We’ll be there and answering questions and communicating with the public,” says Ciliska. “Usually a great day, a long day, but a great day.”

He says this is one of the biggest fundraisers for the camp, with money raised goes directly towards the cost of running the camp.