THUNDER BAY – For eight years, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care has been bringing joy to children on Christmas Day.
The organization reminded the community about the true meaning of Christmas Friday with students from St. Patrick’s drama class.
Both children and students gathered in Santa’s Workshop at Intercity Shopping Mall to hear a story about those that are less fortunate in the community.
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care director of child welfare Carmela Hardy said they are hoping to help about 700 children in the District of Thunder Bay.
“This year’s campaign is we are calling upon businesses, families, and organizations to fill Christmas bags for children that are in need,” Hardy said.
“We are asking the community of Thunder Bay, because we know the city of Thunder Bay has been generous over the years, to fill these bags for children, so these children can open up a gift on Christmas morning.”
Each Christmas bag contains the child’s age, gender and what their wishes are for the holiday season.
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care officials talked with children about what they wanted and they put those on the profiles, which can be found attached to the bag.
Hardy said they are also asking the public to add other essentials like toothbrushes, hats, mittens and any type of school or craft supply.
“Every single child deserves to have gifts on Christmas morning and this is the way that Dilico is partnering with the St. Pat’s Grade 12 drama class to ensure the children have a gift under the tree in the morning,” Hardy said.
“It’s very important, because we have happy children, we have a community that loves to give and in the end we will have a happy community.”
Hardy added that the youth from St. Patrick’s High School have been incredible with their generosity, they want to give back to the children and ensure they wake up on Christmas morning with a gift.
The St. Patrick High School Grade 12 drama students will be welcoming donations for the Dilico Christmas Wish Bag Campaign at the school’s holiday production of A Seussified Christmas Carol, which will run Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 in the Selkirk Auditorium.
The bags can be picked at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, Intercity Mall and Firedog.
Officials are asking that the bags be delivered back on Dec. 13.
