THUNDER BAY — Hundreds of wishes have been granted for Dilico's Christmas Wish campaign.
This year's campaign was especially monumental, with the total number of wish bags packed reaching 9,000 since Christmas Wish was launched in 2008, said Blythe Haynen, assistant director of communications at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.
"We started out with shoe boxes. I think it's really grown, and it's really successful," said Haynen.
This year, 800 wish bags were filled by generous community members and businesses.
Children gave staff members their Christmas wish list, and the wish bags were put out to the community to try to make some of those holiday wishes come true.
Knowing that not all wishes can be granted, Haynen noted one year, a child asked for an iPad and was shocked when that wish came true.
"I remember receiving a bag, and it had an iPad in it. My jaw just dropped. An iPad is huge, and our workers will put the wish out there, and you never know, not everyone can afford to shop and fill an iPad."
She continued, "I think with those red bags, people [are] recognizing them in the community now. You get to connect with people in the community, and they have the most beautiful stories about doing it as a tradition."
Since the inception of the goodwill campaign in 2008, Haynen noted that there have been many wishes granted, with both kids and families thrilled by the outpouring of support from the community.
