Honeydew CPF and reservists spread Christmas cheer with annual Toy Run

Christmas is a time to light up the lives of those who need a little bit of sunshine.

Honeydew Community Police Forum (CPF) closed the year with their flagship Christmas project, the annual CPF Toy Run on December 10. Organised by Reservist, Captain Peter Heres, fellow reservists and CPF members boarded their four-wheeled sleighs and made their way to five charitable chimneys across Randburg and Roodepoort. The Honeydew CPF reindeers would guide Santa Claus, played by Warrant Officer Allan Baudry, as they sprinkled the festive cheer around town.

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Ann Harding Cheshire Home and Golden Harvest Retirement Village made up the Randburg leg while Baby Moses Sanctuary, St Laurence’s Children’s Haven and the paediatric ward of Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital were on Santa’s Roodepoort list. The adults received a box of biscuits while the children opened new boxes of LEGO. The older children received gift vouchers and Santa’s sack of fluffy toys were given to youngest with the biggest smiles.

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Captain Heres has been a reservist for almost 30 years and has been part of the toy run for past decade.

“The joy you see on everybody’s face through that little bit of interaction is something that makes you always want to come back,” said Heres, who served for over 15 years at the Child Protection Unit.

“The whole thing really is about giving back and making the public more aware that we are not just here for crime but there is a social aspect too,” he added.

The magic of the day is lost on none involved, least not Honeydew CPF chairperson, Jon Rosenberg.

“I think it is important that we do it as a community. When you see the joy and happiness it brings at the places we visit, it is worth every minute. To see those smiles of those kids and some of the adults at the homes, is very special. For me it is a privilege to be able to do this every year and guaranteed we will continue to do it as long as we can,” said Rosenberg.

Space on the toy run is limited and members fortunate enough to be granted the opportunity doubled as ambassadors for the station.

“This is also a chance to instil in young children that if they have a problem it is safe to go to a policeman,” said Heres.

Lamenting the atomised nature of modern society, he encouraged to the public to show greater humanity all year round, saying, “If we took care of each other, society as a whole would be better. Just helping one person makes a difference”.