Paramedics with WPD Ambulance unload donated toys at the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre on Dec. 17, 2025, after wrapping up the annual Cram the Ambulance campaign in North Battleford. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

By Kenneth Cheung

A GENEROUS COMMUNITY

Battlefords crams four WPD ambulances with toys to brighten Christmas for kids

Dec 18, 2025 | 10:32 AM

For first responders, the job often means witnessing people on some of the hardest days of their lives – moments marked by crisis, loss and urgency.

That’s why this week felt different for WPD Ambulance crews in the Battlefords.

When the doors of four ambulances swung open, they revealed not medical equipment, but thousands of toys, each one destined for a Christmas tree somewhere in the Battlefords.

“To be able to give back and see some smiles and be able to give back to kids in the community… that kind of hits us all,” said Erik Marcoux, an advanced care paramedic supervisor who helps organize the campaign.

“It makes us all feel good to be able to do this every year to come back and make sure no one has any empty trees on Christmas.”

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WPD Ambulance wrapped up its annual Cram the Ambulance toy drive Wednesday, delivering what organizers say is the largest haul in the campaign’s 21-year history.

Donated toys fill one of four WPD Ambulance units during the annual Cram the Ambulance toy drive, which filled four ambulances in North Battleford on Dec. 17, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Four WPD Ambulance units are parked at the back of the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre on Dec. 17, 2025, after delivering donated toys collected through the Cram the Ambulance campaign. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

The toys will now be distributed to families through the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre’s Empty Stocking Fund Christmas hampers next Monday, on Dec. 22.

“This year is absolutely amazing. This is the most toys that they’ve ever collected,” said BDFRC executive director Erin Katerynych.

“So, thank you, WPD Ambulance. Thank you to the Battlefords community. You guys did an awesome job this year.”

While the final toy count won’t be known until sorting is complete, Katerynych estimates it could reach into the thousands. The donations are expected to benefit more than 500 children.

Behind the scenes, the work is only just beginning. Starting Thursday, community members and organizations – including Pattison Media – will sort toys by age group and carefully match them to individual children, using detailed pickup schedules to prepare for hamper distribution.

“We will be having 20 different families coming in every 15 minutes on Monday to pick up their Christmas hampers,” Katerynych said, noting that the entire process takes about two days.

Donated toys fill a storage room at the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre on Dec. 17, 2025, after WPD Ambulance wrapped up its annual Cram the Ambulance toy drive. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

For WPD Ambulance, this year’s campaign set a new benchmark.

“We actually filled one more unit than we ever have before, so we broke some records this year,” said Marcoux.

“Four full ambulances full of toys this year.”

As for how many toys that represents, Marcoux said it’s hard to say.

“Maybe a few thousand for sure,” he said.

Now in its 21st year, Cram the Ambulance has filled more than 60 ambulances since it began. Last year’s campaign packed three ambulances with about 1,500 toys. This year surpassed that total.

“It’s my favourite time of the year,” Marcoux said. “It’s amazing to see how people stepped up, especially with the kind of time that is tight for everyone this year.”

Marcoux also thanked local businesses that helped support the drive, including Canadian Tire and Walmart, which donated three pallets of toys this year.

As the ambulances unloaded and volunteers prepared for days of sorting ahead, Katerynych reflected on what the moment says about the community.

“Our community always does an amazing job. So much support out there, and we’re just so thankful that we live here and that we have a community like this that supports us,” she said.

“Merry Christmas and happy New Year, everyone.”

Paramedics with WPD Ambulance unload donated toys at the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre on Dec. 17, 2025, after wrapping up the annual Cram the Ambulance campaign in North Battleford. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Paramedics with WPD Ambulance pose for a group photo on Dec. 17, 2025, following the wrap-up of the annual Cram the Ambulance toy drive in North Battleford. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com