A group of law enforcement staff in the Windsor-Essex area are reaching out to help some of their compatriots affected by the US government shutdown.
The Windsor Port Authority, Windsor Police Association, RCMP, OPP and LaSalle Police have pooled funds to deliver pizzas to the US Coast Guard.
They're also donating gift cards to help some of the junior US Coast Guard staff.
RCMP Sergeant Tim Diebel operates the ShipRider program with the US Coast Guard and says they're planning to make today special.
"We've got 17 humongous pizzas to deliver and drinks to go along with that for both the employees at Sector Detroit as well as Station Belle Isle"
Harbourmaster Peter Berry says they wanted to make a gesture to support the emergency responders in the US.
"There's no hesitation beyond any of the law enforcement agencies that work on the river to say yes, we need to do this and we know that they're struggling and this pizza lunch is a bit of a distractionfor them. But also we're going to raise fundsto help those officers who are there who are in need.Because there is a need without those paycheques coming to them"
Berry says the pizza delivery is only the start.
"We're going to continue wiht the gift cards as well as long as the shutdown's going to continue we're going to continue to raise funds to help them . It'll go to their Chief Petty Officers' Association to help those, especially the junior ranks who are making the lesser of the wage to help them get through this time, it's a difficult time for them"
If anyone wants to make a donation to help out the US Coast Guard staff impacted by the shutdown you can contact LaSalle police.