THUNDER BAY – Vierlynn Lunn grew up in a household dedicated to volunteering with the Children’s Aid Society of Thunder Bay.
It’s a tradition she’s continued to instill in her own children, who on Friday helped launch the organization’s annual Christmas Wish campaign.
The program encourages shoppers to select a snowman off a tree at the entrance to Thunder Bay’s Memorial Avenue Wal-Mart and purchase a suggested toy for a child in need. Participants can choose the age and gender of the child they’re shopping for, the goal to collect 500 presents for children under the care of the Children’s Aid Society.
Getting a gift brings plenty of joy to everyone involved.
“It’s not only the children’s faces, it’s the caregivers too. Sometimes they’re put into a financial bind. They take in a child and sometimes it’s through kinship and sometimes it’s through the goodness of their hearts,” Lunn said.
“Having one extra person around and getting to know them and finding out their likes and wants is sometimes a little bit difficult. Having the community come together and picking out a snowman and delivering a gift is the true meaning of Santa Claus.”
Executive director Brad Bain said the program has been working with the community for 28 years to ensure children and youth from disadvantaged families have an opportunity to experience Christmas in a way most people take for granted.
Luckily Thunder Bay residents have taken up the cause with abandon.
“What I have seen is that the residents of Thunder Bay are extremely generous and every year comes out to support our initiative. For the last couple of years we’ve been able to provide gifts in excess of 500 to disadvantaged children and youth.”
Gifts, once purchased, can be left in the collection bins at Wal-Mart and volunteers will then wrap and deliver the presents to the children.
