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Christmas Wish campaign comes true

The Dilico Christmas Wish Bag Campaign collected 800 bags filled with toys to be distributed to Indigenous families this holiday season.
Christmas Wish Bag Campaign
Darcia Borg, executive director of Dilico Anishinakbek Family Care, Natalie Paavola, director of health with Dilico, and Blake Esquega celebrate 800 bags of toys being donated to the Dilico Christmas Wish Bag Campaign this year.

THUNDER BAY - No holiday season would be complete with a blanket of snow and organizers of a local toy drive believe snowflakes have come to symbolize the generosity of the people of Thunder Bay and surrounding area.

“With snowflakes, they really come together,” said Darcia Borg, executive director at Dilico Anishinakbek Family Care. “That’s what I see the community of Thunder Bay doing. It has really shown in our campaign this year. I can’t say how thrilled we are.”

Dilico celebrated the completion of its annual Christmas Wish Bag Campaign on Monday, which collected 800 bags of toys to be handed out to Indigenous children and youth across the city and district this holiday season.

“We were hoping to get at least 700 gift bags, so 800 is just overwhelming,” Borg said. “We’ve done this for nine years now. There is a lot of planning that goes into it. But I really want to thank Thunder Bay and the district for all the support they have shown Dilico this year. This is our biggest campaign yet, so we are just thrilled.”

The toys will be distributed this week to Indigenous families in need. According to Borg, donations came in from families, businesses, organizations, and students across the city.

In past years, the goal was usually set around 500 to 600 bags, and Bord said seeing that number surpassed so handily this year, shows how many people wanted to pitch in to make this campaign a success.  

“I think people in Thunder Bay and the district are really seeing the needs of Indigenous children and families,” Borg continued. “They are really wanting to give to the First Nation community as well and to Dilico. We are just so pleased with the partnerships we have developed.”

For the families who receive these special holiday gifts, Borg said they are just as thrilled as she is to be a part of this campaign, and make Christmas wishes come true.

“They are thrilled,” Borg said. “Many children and families, they don’t have what some of us take for granted in our lives. I think waking up Christmas morning and the children receiving all these wonderful gifts, it really makes a difference in their lives.”



Doug Diaczuk

About the Author: Doug Diaczuk

Doug Diaczuk is a reporter and award-winning author from Thunder Bay. He has a master’s degree in English from Lakehead University
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