Two local emergency services organizations will once again go head to head in what has become a Christmas tradition in Dauphin.
The Dauphin RCMP Detachment and the Dauphin Fire Department are competing in the Cram the Cruiser and Pack the Pumper food drive for the sixth time.
Donations are being accepted now and the official weigh-in takes place, Dec. 16.
The friendly competition allows the two agencies an opportunity to support the community, and each other, beyond their emergency services work, with the Dauphin and District Community Food Bank (DDCFB) being the real winner.
“It’s a great cause for the community to raise some funds and get some food donations for our local food bank,” Dauphin fire chief Cam Abrey said, adding the competition also gives the two groups of first responders an opportunity to interact outside of the high-stress emergency situations they normally encounter together.
“We have a great working relationship with the RCMP. This is just a little fun competition where it’s not that we’re responding to calls together.”
It is a sentiment shared by the Dauphin RCMP Detachment, said Const. Frank Giesbrecht, who is spearheading the effort on behalf of the RCMP.
“Anything to help our community is important and times are tough right now for everyone,”
With a bit of the late start this year, the RCMP and the fire department will not be able to be out in the community promoting the food drive, but both sides will be at the Dauphin Kings game next Tuesday.
“We’re going to be out at the Dauphin Kings game in the parking lot on, Dec. 9. The RCMP will have a cruiser there. We’ll have a pumper there,” Abrey said.
“So we’re asking if you’re coming to the game to bring a tin for the bin.”
Giesbrecht said, knowing the fire department always attends a Kings game during the annual food drive, he thought the RCMP should get in on the action.
“We’re going to go because I know Cam always goes there. So, I pitched it to Cam, why don’t we do a head-to-head and people can choose who they donate to,” he said adding the night will add a little fun to the competition.
Those not able to contribute to the food drive that night can still get involved.
Anyone wanting to contribute to the fire department side can call the station at 204-622-3100 to arrange a pick up of donations, or they can bring food items to the fire station Monday to Friday between 8 a,m, and 5 p.m.
“We’d be glad to take your donations,” Abrey said, adding the fire department has only won the competition once in the last six years.
“We need a win. We ask that you drop off to the fire department, because we’re here for the community. And not that the RCMP isn’t, but we desperately need those bragging rights for who’s brought in the most amount of food.”
For those wanting to back the RCMP in the competition, Giesbrecht said, a cruiser will be available in the detachment parking lot throughout the collection period.
“People can drop off or they can call us and when members are free, we can come pick them up,” Giesbrecht said.
Some of the DDCFB’s most needed items include dry cereal, oatmeal, pasta, pasta sauce, canned baked beans, canned meats, canned fish, canned fruit, mac and cheese, tea, coffee, soup, crackers and canned vegetables.
