THUNDER BAY - The many hardships facing families this year was not enough to stop the giving spirit, as people across the city and district once again stepped up to ensure all children will have a gift to open this holiday season.
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care celebrated another successful Christmas Wish Campaign, bringing in enough toys to fill 700 gift bags and raising more than $40,000.
“I believe what Thunder Bay has done has really provided some hope,” said Darcia Borg, executive director of Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.
“Through all this pandemic and everything that has been impacting our community, they still saw the importance of receiving a gift on Christmas morning and for some children this will be the only gift they receive.”
The Christmas Wish Campaign has been ongoing since 2008 and aims to collect gifts for children and youth living in the 13 communities Dilico serves.
“It went absolutely amazing this year,” Borg said. “We saw so much support from Thunder Bay and the district and we are just so grateful.”
There were concerns the campaign wouldn’t be able to move forward this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but alternative ways were offered to donate, including online, which really saw a lot of support.
“Because of COVID-19, we wanted to make it safer for people to be able to donate so they had different options,” Borg said. “Rather than picking up the red bag they could do donations online as well.”
And given that so many people are struggling due to the pandemic, seeing the outpouring of support is so meaningful to Dilico and the children who will celebrate this holiday season with a new gift and a smile.
“We know right now everyone is struggling due to COVID-19 and the financial difficulties all families might be experiencing right now,” Borg said. “Amazingly we saw our biggest year. We raised more than $40,000 this year. Thunder Bay has always been a part of the Dilico family and the district as well.”
The Christmas Wish bags will be delivered to the 13 communities this week.