THUNDER BAY -- The Christmas Cheer Fund is setting their goal a little lower this year.
“We decided that we would decrease our goal by $10,000 to $130,000 because we felt it would be doable for us,” said Cheer chairwoman Joleene Kemp.
Kemp helped launch this year’s campaign at the CLE’s Cardinal Room Friday afternoon and said they also don’t want to take away from other charities struggling to meet their targets this holiday season.
“We’re providing something extra for families at Christmastime and we feel we can do it on those dollars,” Kemp said, adding another reason they feel they can cut their goal is because the fund is 100 per cent volunteer-run.
“We don’t have to pay anyone or any group to work on our behalf. It’s all voluntary. People step up, step forward and people are very, very generous.”
With food drives happening throughout the city, Kemp said they can be more frugal when purchasing non-perishable food items.
They’re looking for people to donate items like rice, cereal, pasta and asking people to watch expiry dates when donating food.
There will be a food drive on Dec. 15 at the CLE from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and people can pick up hampers starting on Dec. 16.
With each food hamper, families will not only receive a turkey, but age-appropriate toys purchased through the local firefighters association Toys for Tots campaign.
“The firefighters’ role is simple. We try to raise money so Christmas Cheer can afford to buy a new Christmas gift for every child that’s living in poverty in our community and that’s more than the city of Thunder Bay. It goes out in the district as well,” said spokesman Bob Vander Ploeg.
