Manitoulin OPP remember fallen officer with holiday fundraiser

An OPP food drive, held on the anniversary of Const. Marc Hovingh's 2020 line-of-duty death provides a positive way for the community to honour him.

Manitoulin OPP are hosting the second annual Stuff-a-Cruiser event Wednesday evening from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Mindemoya Foodland. The date of the fundraiser holds profound significance for the community and the service, intentionally scheduled to coincide with a painful milestone.

“Today marks five years since Provincial Constable Marc Hovingh tragically lost his life in the line of duty … this event intentionally takes place on this day, the anniversary of Marc being killed, as a way to honor the contribution and impact that Marc had on the community, both on and off duty,” said OPP Const. Berkley Parisien.

Parisien elaborated on the provincial police force’s intent behind the event while speaking with CTV News.

“(Done) also as a way to give Marc’s family, friends, colleagues and the community a positive event to look forward to on such a heavy day.”

Building on a foundation of success

All donations from the event will support local families this upcoming holiday season through Manitoulin Family Resources. The initiative enters its second year with strong momentum, building on the overwhelming community response from its inaugural run.

“Last year’s Stuff-a-Cruiser, like I said, it was an amazing success,” said Parisien.

“We filled a OPP pickup truck three times and we had a total of 1,790 pounds of food donated to the food bank, which was amazing.”

She further noted the substantial financial support.

“Additionally, the event raised $7,570 in monetary donations,” said Parisien.

Remembering a fallen officer

The event serves as a living tribute to Hovingh, who was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 19, 2020. The officer was answering a call about a trailer illegally parked on a homeowner’s property outside Gore Bay when he exchanged gunfire with a civilian, Gary Brohman; both men died.

Tributes honouring Hovingh poured out on social media Wednesday, including a formal statement from the Ontario Provincial Police Association.

Legacy of community spirit

The Stuff the Cruiser event is just one of several held annually to honour the memory of Hovingh, ensuring his legacy of service continues to inspire positive action within the community he served.

“We have a curling bonspiel and we have the ‘Tour de Force’, and new this year to the tour de force was the youth bike event,” said Parisien.

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