Waking up on Christmas Day to find that Santa has paid a visit is a magical time in a child’s life.
But for 850 children in care between Dilico Anishnabek Family Care and the Thunder Bay Children’s Aid Society, that magic might not happen without the charity of others. The two agencies launched the True Gift of Christmas Wednesday at Walmart.
The Memorial Avenue store now has a giving tree up near its front entrance. The tree holds gift tags with a gender and age on it. People can grab a tag and then shop for an age-appropriate gift so that those children can have a Christmas.
“Waking up and finding that Santa Claus was able to bring something for them is very very special,” children’s aid executive director Rob Richardson said. “Christmas is a time when there’s considerable need so it’s really important for those families.”
Many teens with the services live on their own. Buying a gift for them might mean they have a chance to get something they wouldn’t be able to provide for themselves otherwise.
Dilico’s Micheal Hardy said people sometimes just assume that children are provided for at Christmas but a lot of the times there’s nothing for them under the tree.
“We’re trying to make a little bit of difference and a little bit lighter in the spirit of hope. The spirit of giving,” he said.
