THUNDER BAY — Waking up on Christmas morning without a gift under the tree can be very hard on children in need.
“When families are struggling, this can be a difficult time of year,” said Dana Leeder, who is the director of services for the Children’s Aid Society Thunder Bay District.
The 36th edition of the Children’s Aid Society Thunder Bay District’s Holiday Wishes Tree Campaign is officially underway.
The campaign, which launched Thursday at the Walmart on Memorial Avenue, runs until Dec. 23 and helps provide gifts to children and youth in need during the holiday season.
“Thunder Bay has always had a tremendous heart and they are very giving. We’re very appreciative of the people that are able to help and support our youth.”
Leeder said it’s always an emotional experience to see how the campaign helps local youth.
“A lot of times we have our youth holiday parties and events like that happening at the agency and the excitement for the little one and the teens is just beyond words,” Leeder said.
The campaign’s donation trees are on display at the Walmart locations on Memorial Avenue, Dawson Road and Arthur Street West.
Snowmen gift tags for children and youth are hung on the trees, where shoppers can grab them and purchase an age-appropriate gift.
The unwrapped gift is left in the designated area for the Children’s Aid Society’s volunteer captains to pick up and deliver to the agency.
After distributing 377 gifts through the district in 2024, the goal for this year’s campaign is to collect 400 gifts.
“In terms of community and their needs, we see families having a harder time during the holidays,” said Charmaine Cades, who is the manager of volunteer resources for the Children’s Aid Society Thunder Bay District.
“Now there’s more expenses as the cost of living has gone up and sometimes the last things you have time to think about are those extras, such as gifts for a child.
“With this program, that means for some families that they can worry about the really important stuff at this time of the year and know that they have a gift for their child under the tree.”
In addition to being in Thunder Bay, the district serves communities as far east as Marathon. They also have offices in Nipigon and Geraldton.
More information on the Holiday Wishes Tree Campaign can be found on the Children’s Aid Society Thunder Bay District’s social media pages.
