A policeman with a big heart recently played Santa Claus by organizing the distribution of 375 gifts to underprivileged children in Repentigny.
“I’m doing this to help. I am proud to see people’s smiles, ”explained Constable André Jr Corbeil, who has worked with the Repentigny police force for three and a half years.
It must be said that the 46-year-old police officer is used to good works, he who multiplies partnerships with community organizations and businesses in order to help for free.
Photo AGENCE QMI, SIMON DESSUREAULT
Repairs valued at $ 40,000 to a single mother of seven children victim of domestic violence, purchase of a PlayStation console for a child with incurable cancer, relocation of an elderly couple in poor health; the police officer has been on 27 aid projects since July 2018.
In total, more than $ 200,000 in goods and services were delivered through the police.
Until last August, André Jr Corbeil operated everything within the framework of the Repentigny Police Department’s “One Happiness at a Time” project, which was however abolished.
Photo AGENCE QMI, SIMON DESSUREAULT
Marie-Êve Nolin, minor hockey volunteer from Repentigny, is with André Jr Corbeil, in the new volunteer room at the Repentigny arena.
“André is the guy with the biggest heart, but it took too much time from his work time,” explained Bruno Marier, Sergeant in prevention, communications and community support at the Repentigny Police Department, to explain the withdrawal of agent Corbeil from the project. We are going to do projects on a smaller scale, without advertising. ”
But that was not going to stop the generous police officer who recently organized two giveaways for children referred by community organizations.
On the morning of December 12, 75 children were able to choose a gift from the ToysRUs store in Repentigny before the store opened. The following week, another 300 also received gifts on December 19, as part of another event.
“Giving is the best pay, I want to continue doing that all my life,” added André Jr Corbeil, who also recently joined companies to set up a kitchen and a rest room for minor hockey volunteers, at the Repentigny arena.