Helping hand

Emma Cressman considers herself one of the lucky ones.

Each Christmas the 10-year-old wakes up to find a tree lined with presents and a table full of food to feast on.

Sadly, she said, not every child is so fortunate in Thunder Bay. That’s why she’s so enthusiastic about the return of Dilico Children’s Foundation’s Christmas Hamper Campaign for families in need.

"Normally people that don’t get anything, it would make them feel bad," Emma said on Thursday, as the campaign was launched at St. Bernard School.

"If they do get something it would make them feel really good and it would make you feel really good."
The Grade 5 student said she’s been busy collecting food and toys to fill the rubber baskets with, including canned salmon and soup, Kraft Dinner, face cloths and toothbrushes, stuffed animals and pillows.

She’s not alone. Last year the school collected nearly 30 baskets, its part in helping more than 200 families enjoy the holiday season.

Nine-year-old Shae Ashcroft has already brought in more than 16 donation items, and said it makes her sad to think there are children out there who get nothing at Christmas.

"Imagine having to go to a Christmas tree without anything under the Christmas tree. I think this is really cool because things that you know that other people will like are actually going to them," the Grade 4 student said.

Eligible families for the program include single parents, low-income families and caregivers taking care of children who have been abandoned or neglected by their parents through no fault of their own.

St. Bernard teacher Leigh Wood, whose class has already filled two baskets, said the River Street school has long prided itself on its ability to help others both locally and around the globe.

Wood said they’ve taken part in the Dilico Christmas Hamper Campaign for the past three years, and it does more than just help families in need.

It’s what they do, she said.

"Throughout the year we teach certain virtues, and the children understand throughout the year, and not just at Christmastime, that we need to help out people across the world and in our city as well. And our students are quite aware that there are quite a few people in town that do not receive as much as they do," Wood said.

"It shows each year when the baskets fill up and the families contribute. They’ve been fantastic every year."

Elaine Graydon, chairwoman of the Dilico Children’s Foundation, said the program is important to member families. Each year she’s amazed at the support it gets from the community.

"It’s an overwhelming response for the program. These are families that are in need, who would not enjoy Christmas as we would expect. The hampers help finish off Christmas and make it special," she said.

All donations will be picked up by Santa’s elves, or can be dropped off at Santa’s workshop at the Heath Park Dilico location.

Drop-off dates are Dec. 10, 13 and 14 between 3 and 5 p.m.