MINDEMOYA—There were plenty of smiles to chase away the shivers as volunteers at the Manitoulin Help Centre unloaded a trailer filled with donations gathered up in the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service’s annual Stuff-a-Cruiser community challenge.
“We are very pleased, this has been very busy time for us,” said UCCM Anishnaabe Police Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow. But despite the busy season, members of the UCCM Police and their partners found time to make this year’s event the most successful yet. “People really put the effort out to bring us donations.”
The UCCM Anishnaabe Police effort was augmented strongly by the efforts of their partners, including the UCCMM Tribal Council, Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute, the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, Mnidoo Mnising Employment and Training, the Sheshegwaning Health Centre, Kina Gbezhgomi (both the M’Chigeeng and Wikwemikong sites), Noojmowin Teg and Mnaamodzawin Health Services and the Sheguiandah First Nation band office.
“Every year we challenge our partner agencies to make this the most generous Stuff-a-Cruiser event ever, and they have never let us down,” said Police Chief Nahwegahbow. “It just keeps growing every year.”
“We are very appreciative of the food and toy drive coordinated by the UCCM Anishnaabe Police,” said Help Centre co-ordinator Nancy McDermid. “The amount of food that is donated is very helpful to our communities.”
In addition to the food and toys collected in the annual event, UCCM Anishnaabe Police officers and staff ponied up generously from their own wallets as well. “The staff donated more than $1,530 this year as well,” confirmed Police Chief Nahwegahbow.
He explained that the initiative came about through the Maamwi Naadamadaa Integrated Services program. “Maamwi Naadamadaa seeks to create a structure that connects senior managers, executive directors, CEOs, band managers of UCCMM affiliate agencies and communities thereby creating a space where collaborative culturally rich program development is the measure of success. Specifically, the mandate of Maamwi Naadamadaa is to work together on community issues.” In fact, Maamwi Naadamadaa translates to “let us work together.”
Through programs like the Stuff-a-Cruiser event, the UCCM Anishnaabe Police seek to build community connections and rapport. “What better way to build bridges in the community than by doing things that help each other,” said Police Chief Nahwegahbow. Having that rapport in place can make a tremendous difference in working within the community.
“We have already received a lot of compliments,” said Police Chief Nahwegahbow. When peace officers are dealing with the increased number of calls for service that tends to come with the holiday season, a warm glow can go a long way in shortening long nights.
“It’s really simple when you think about it,” said Police Chief Nahwegahbow. “We all want to help each other.”
The winner of this year’s challenge was the Sheguiandah First Nation band office, he noted, proving that small communities can have very big hearts.