The holiday season can be a time of joy and togetherness, but for many families across Vancouver, it can also be a time of added stress, uncertainty, and hardship. Due to the nature of their work, VPD officers and civilian members see this reality firsthand. Rather than looking away, they step forward with compassion, creativity, and a deep commitment to helping those who need it most.
With the support of the Vancouver Police Foundation and community partners, VPD members lead and deliver targeted, meaningful initiatives during the holiday season, action that respond directly to real needs, preserve dignity, and strengthen trust and connection across our city. Together, these efforts are making a true difference for hundreds of Vancouver families and individuals during the holidays.
Below are just some of the inspiring VPD community initiatives this holiday season.
SisterWatch Committee Christmas Lunch
Kicking off the holiday season was the SisterWatch Christmas Lunch and Committee Meeting on December 1. The gathering brought together SisterWatch committee members for a full turkey dinner and the presentation of Christmas baskets filled with chocolates and treats for all in attendance. This annual lunch is now in its 14th year and has become an important opportunity for connection and appreciation, recognizing the women who contribute their voices, leadership, and lived experience to the program year-round.
The SisterWatch Committee started in 2010 and is a standing committee comprised of community leaders, VPD representatives and members from the Women’s Memorial March Committee. The committee aims to eliminate violence against women and girls in the Downtown Eastside and to make the community safer for everyone who lives and works in Vancouver.
The Christmas Lunch hosted 18 attendees this year, continuing a meaningful tradition rooted in respect, relationship-building, and community care.
Christmas Wish Breakfast: A Tradition of Giving
On December 10, more than 50 VPD officers and civilian staff gathered at the Pan Pacific Hotel for the 38th annual Christmas Wish Breakfast, a beloved tradition that brings the policing and first responder community together with hundreds of community members in the spirit of giving.
Like usual, the VPD made a grand entrance with the Motorcycle Drill Team leading the VPD motorcade to the front doors of the Pan Pacific, where all donations were proudly unloaded and carried into the Pan Pacific by all VPD members in attendance. A member of the VPD Pipe Band enthusiastically announced the arrival of the VPD, leading the procession of Members, including Chief Constable Steve Rai.
The VPD delivered more than 100 unwrapped toys in support of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau that morning, helping ensure children in struggling families could experience the joy of opening a gift on Christmas morning. For many VPD members, this event is a highlight of the year, an opportunity to directly spread holiday cheer and support families facing difficult circumstances.
The Vancouver Police Foundation is proud to help fund some of the incredible gifts donated that morning, and we extend a heartfelt thanks to the event organizers, partners, community members, and fellow first responders who continue to make this long-standing tradition possible.
Scam Prevention for Seniors: Thoughtful Hampers with Real Impact
Led by Sergeant Rita Raj, Detective Constable Julie Gilmore, and Sergeant Rob Dairon, the VPD Scam Prevention for Seniors team took a deeply personal approach to holiday giving this year.
Through the program, four personalized holiday hampers were prepared and delivered this year: two for vulnerable seniors, and two for single mothers. Sgt Raj, Det. Cst. Gilmore, and Sgt Dairon contacted each recipient ahead of time in order to learn what would truly help them, ensuring the support reflected real needs rather than assumptions.
One senior received new rain boots and runners after sharing she had been walking in worn-out shoes through cold, wet weather. Another requested only the most basic essentials, which were carefully assembled alongside gift cards so she could choose what she needed most. Two single mothers, one fleeing domestic violence with three children, the other supporting a child on her own, received hampers filled with essential clothing, food, household items, and small comforts to ease holiday stress.
“Each hamper was thoughtfully assembled with care and compassion, with a strong focus on dignity, respect, and meeting people where they were during a difficult time,” explained Sgt Raj.
In addition, these VPD officers also donated additional items to community hampers and organizations that assemble and distribute support to families in need. These donations included bed sheets, towels, blankets, socks, food, chocolates, children’s and baby clothing, and other essential household items, allowing even more families to receive support.
“This was all made possible because of the generosity of the Vancouver Police Foundation and the donations from Canadian Tire,” adds Sgt Raj.
Food for Families: Supporting Students and Strengthening Community
This holiday season, the VPD Food for Families initiative delivered direct support to 40 Vancouver families experiencing significant financial hardship. With funding support from the Vancouver Police Foundation, 40 holiday hampers valued at $250 each were prepared to support these families – which equates to approximately 200 people in total. These hampers included groceries, gift cards, clothing, hygiene products, formula, and diapers.
VPD School Liaison Officers (SLO) worked closely with many Vancouver school administrators, counsellors, and multicultural workers to identify families in need, and in some cases, fulfill specific requests.
Led by VPD Detective Mariya Zhalovaga and Constable Mike Hsiang, SLO for Windermere Secondary, Food for Families also involved members of the VPD Youth Running Club, made up of students from Grade 4 through Grade 12, along with university-aged alumni mentors. These youth participants helped shop for and wrap hampers, learning firsthand the importance of giving back.
As one Running Club parent shared: “This running club has evolved to become something more than just a run club, it is a positive space for building connections and lasting friendships. The positive impact this club has had on my kids’ self-esteem, grit, and health is immeasurable.”
Once assembled, the hampers were personally delivered to families by VPD School Liaison Officers and Youth Investigations Detectives, an approach that not only provides material support, but also builds trust and positive relationships within the community.
Sex Industry Liaison Hampers: Safety, Dignity, and Belonging
This year, the VPD Sex Industry Liaison program assembled 130 carefully designed Christmas hampers for sex trade workers and vulnerable women across Vancouver. Each hamper was centred around a waterproof belt bag, which is a practical and potentially life-saving item that allows women to safely carry a cellphone hands-free. The bags were filled with essential toiletries, hand warmers, a rain poncho, cosmetics, and comfort items, and packaged in a cheerful gift bag with warm socks, gloves, and candy.
Members of the VPD Diversity Unit came together to assemble the hampers, which are being distributed at locations including the Kingsway Community Station – an overnight safe space offering vital services for vulnerable women in Vancouver.
“These hampers are important because they provide immediate support through warmth, basic toiletries, and essential items, things many women cannot afford due to poverty and unmet basic needs,” explains Constable Cindy Lavalee, VPD’s Sex Trade Liaison Officer.
“Beyond this practical support, many of the women I work with have little to no family or social support and often feel deeply isolated. This is especially true for sex trade workers, who are frequently excluded from traditional support systems. These hampers send a powerful message – that they are seen, valued, and cared for, and that they belong to a community that has not forgotten them. My hope is that these small acts of kindness help brighten their holiday season and, just as importantly, begin or strengthen a trusting relationship built on compassion and respect.”
Cadets Giving Back: Learning Service Through Action
The VPD Cadets also took part in the holiday spirit, volunteering with the Cops for Kids gift-wrapping toy drive.. The Cadets, along with several VPD officers, helped wrap hundreds of gifts for children in need.
These initiatives reflect what’s possible when frontline insight meets community generosity. VPD officers and civilian members see the needs in our city every day and with the support of the Vancouver Police Foundation, they are able to respond in ways that are thoughtful, targeted, and deeply human. This holiday season, hundreds of families and individuals across Vancouver are feeling a little warmer, safer, and more supported, because someone noticed, cared, and took action.
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall within three streams: community outreach and engagement (including programs for women, youth and seniors); public and personal safety; and specialized equipment and technology. You can help make Vancouver safer for all by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
