THUNDER BAY — Secret Santas and volunteer elves are needed to help brighten up what could be a lonely Christmas for some in the city.
For the last 10 years, the St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay have lent a helping hand to those who may be alone on Christmas.
The care group’s Be Their Secret Santa Campaign provides gifts to clients, patients and residents during the holidays.
“It started out as a very small program that first year and it’s been growing since then with 523 gifts being delivered last year,” said Gail Brescia, president of the St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay.
“It’s wonderful to see things increase, but it’s also a little sad that there are that many people that are out in the community that are lonely and in need of a present.”
This year’s campaign, which has a goal of raising $25,000 to help with the purchase of 500 gifts, officially launched on Tuesday morning with a pancake breakfast at the St. Joseph’s Heritage building.
Among the items the campaign is looking for are hats and knits, pyjamas, shirts, blankets, hand warmers, socks with grippers on them to assist anyone with mobility challenges, and individually wrapped Christmas treats.
The donations will be handed out by volunteer elves on Dec. 22.
“The core compassion for the program is still there and as strong as ever,” Brescia said.
“We’ve had people who have been volunteering with us since the beginning because it brings them such joy. Thunder Bay is very well known for caring and reaching out to help people, and we're really appreciative for everything that they have done over the past 10 years.”
Donations are being accepted at the St. Joseph’s Foundation office at 63 Carrie St. and at all three TD Canada Trust branches in Thunder Bay.
For more information on the Be Their Secret Santa and how to be a volunteer elf, visit the campaign’s website or call Amy Stasiewicz at 807-768-4404.
