THUNDER BAY – With the holiday season fast approaching, staff at Dilico Anishnabek Family Care want to ensure none of their children awaken on Christmas morning to find Santa Claus hasn’t paid them a visit.
With the help of the drama program at St. Patrick High School, the organization on Wednesday launched this year’s Christmas Wish campaign, setting a target of more than 700 children whose holiday dreams they’d like to help come true.
Partipating is simple, said Dilico’s director Carmela Hardy.
Simple pick up a specially designed red Christmas Wish bag and fill it with essential items, toys or gift cards according to the child’s profile attached to each bag.
Gift suggestions include learning and art supplies, books, socks, tooth brushes, mitts, hats and sweaters.
“What we’re asking is the community, businesses, other families, students – anybody in the District of Thunder Bay – to actually grab these bags and fill them up.”
The need is huge, Hardy said.
“We started this event with a few hundred bags and last year we filled over 700 bags,” she said. “We can see the generosity each person in the city and district of Thunder Bay have to give to children and youth that are in need.
“This year we have a goal to fill over 750 bags.”
The bags are available at several locations, including Intercity Shopping Centre in front of American Eagle on the next three Thursdays and four Saturdays, Firedog Communications on South Court Street, Dilico’s Heath Park site and Dilico Anishnabek Family Care at 200 Anemki Place.
They’ll also be available during St. Patrick’s presentation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen, where Dilico elves will be on site to collect donated toys and essential items from guests attending the Dec. 7 and 8 evening performance.
Drama student Julia Lento said it’s a way to help give back to the community.
“We think it’s very important that every child wakes up with a present under their tree on Christmas morning. We want kids to be able to be kids and we don’t want them to have any hardships or go through anything that’s difficult in life,” the 17-year-old Grade 12 student said.
“Anything we can do to improve the lives of children is really what we’re going for.”
Tickets the musical are $5 and available at the south-side school’s main office. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre.
Christmas Wish bags must be returned by Dec. 11.
