{"id":18658,"date":"2017-12-05T14:11:23","date_gmt":"2017-12-05T19:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.canadahelps.org\/?p=18658"},"modified":"2024-11-01T16:42:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T20:42:15","slug":"giving-kids-a-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.canadahelps.org\/en\/giving-life\/connecting-with-charities\/giving-kids-a-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Kids a Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Charity Spotlight: This blog post was provided by Christine Hewitt, Executive Director of the\u00a0CFAX Santas Anonymous Society, as part of our ongoing charity spotlight series.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Imagine a child waking up on Christmas morning without a Christmas tree, without gifts and often, without breakfast. Unfortunately this is reality for many as 1 out of 5 children live in poverty in British Columbia, and because of this, CFAX Santas Anonymous Society was born.<\/p>\n

Armed with our Santa Bear tags, generous members of the Greater Victoria community volunteer to fulfill children\u2019s Christmas wishes by donating new toys, clothing, and other items. We also collect monetary donations, which go toward the food portion of the hampers. Once received, all of the donated items flow through \u201cSanta\u2019s Workshop,\u201d where volunteers wrap the gifts, assemble each hamper, and prepare them for pickup or delivery to local families. Every hamper is wrapped as if it were being given to a member of their own family as we know that the attention to detail and unique personal touch means the world to a child or teen on Christmas morning. But before the gifts arrive at \u201cSanta\u2019s Workshop,\u201d the Christmas hamper program begins when a parent or guardian submits an application requesting help. We speak directly with each family to understand their needs and we take two gift requests for each child up to the age of 17.<\/p>\n

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On December 25, every child wakes up to a Christmas Day with presents, food, and family\u2014giving them joy and a beautiful memory they\u2019ll remember for years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn October 2016 I learned that I would be laid off.\u00a0 I was in shock and saddened after 10 years working for my former employer.\u00a0 A single mom, with two children I knew I had to find work soon \u2013 we already lived pay check to pay check.\u00a0 I secured employment in late November but wondered how I could afford Christmas for my two children.\u00a0 A friend suggested Santas Anonymous. The volunteers were so friendly and caring, I felt like family was helping me.\u00a0 Christmas morning my son had the lacrosse equipment he had wanted, and my young daughter was thrilled with her Frozen doll sets.\u00a0 There were stocking stuffers, 3 large bags of groceries and a food card.\u00a0 This helped me until I received my first pay check just after Christmas.\u00a0 I\u2019m on my feet now, and I plan to give back soon.\u201d\u00a0 Without Santas, we wouldn\u2019t have had Christmas and I wouldn\u2019t have had hope.”\u2014CFAX Santas Anonymous Society receipient<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As a 99% volunteer driven organization, CFAX Santas Anonymous promotes volunteerism from the very young to the very young at heart. In 2016, volunteers donated 19,000 hours of skills, leadership, and love to help bring a smile to local children facing poverty and the challenges life presents when families are in crisis.<\/p>\n