Partnership aims to ensure all children get Christmas gift

Two local child welfare agencies are once again banding together to make sure no child goes without a present under the tree this Christmas.

The Thunder Bay Children’s Aid Society and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care launched the Spirit of Giving Tree campaign Monday morning at the Zellers store at Intercity Shopping Centre.

The campaign began last week and runs until Dec. 21.

Until then, shoppers can take a gift tag bearing the gender and age of a child from a Christmas tree located in each local Zellers store and then purchase an appropriate gift for that child. After purchasing the gift, people can drop it off beside the tree and it will be gift wrapped and later given to children served by either agency in the city.

“The goal is for children to wake up Christmas morning with a gift under their tree, so our children will be able to experience the joys and the spirit of Christmas,” said Carmela Magbanua, protection services manager for Dilico.

The local CAS has been running the campaign since the early 1990s and then teamed up with Dilico in 2006. Dilico had been running a similar program since 2003.

Last year the Spirit of Giving Tree brought in 600 gifts. They hope to exceed that this holiday season.

Magbanua said they are once again calling upon the community to help them make sure their children in care receive a gift on Christmas morning.

“We’re always relying on the community for that support for our children,” she said. “The city of Thunder Bay always seems to be a contributor when it comes to children and the needs of children.”

CAS executive director Rob Richardson said both agencies are involved with thousands of children throughout the district and there is a considerable need.

“Parents and caregivers of children often find that this time is an extremely difficult time for them because of the need to purchase gifts,” he said. “Many people just don’t have the resources to provide for that.”

“This tree is a really big help for them,” he added.