At this time of year, most of us are usually in the middle of our Christmas shopping, celebrating with friends and family, and enjoying the spirit of the holiday season in the community.
This year, however, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of our holiday plans look very different. For Tbaytel, this was all the more reason to continue the 12 Days of Christmas program for the sixth consecutive year, while respecting social distancing and COVID-19 protocols.
“After a difficult year, we felt it was important to continue our tradition of giving back and spreading Christmas cheer in the communities we serve, especially to those people and organizations who have been struggling due to the pandemic,” said Amy Meunier, Director of Marketing & Communication at Tbaytel.
Since 2015, Tbaytel’s 12 Days of Christmas has recognized deserving non-profit organizations and people across northern Ontario through a series of exciting daily surprises over the course of 12 days in December.
In years past, Tbaytel employees have met people in their community outside their typical work setting, bagging groceries, pouring coffee, and spreading cheer at events like the annual Parade of Lights. This year, while they spent less time in the community, the Tbaytel elves, as well as our partners across our serving territory, were still able to give gifts and donations to make the burden of holiday spending a little lighter, and to show our appreciation for those who have done their part to keep our community safe and healthy throughout the pandemic.
“This year in particular, the 12 Days of Christmas serves as a reminder both for us at Tbaytel and for our neighbours across the region that we have the power to bring joy to others,” says Meunier. “It’s always amazing to see how a simple gesture or act of kindness can make someone’s day at a time when they may really need it.”
For 2020, Tbaytel’s 12 Days of Christmas included the following surprises:
Day 1: Announced Tbaytel would match up to $10,000 in community donations to the United Way RECOVER 2020 campaign
Day 2: Purchased and delivered coffee and baking from Sweet North Bakery to essential workers at Southbridge Pinewood Nursing Home, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Station1, Thunder Bay Transit Depot, Superior North EMS and Thunder Bay Police headquarters
Day 3: 100 customers calling in to our Contact Centre received a $50 credit
Day 4: Made a donation of exercise equipment and art supplies to the 55+ Centre for their community classes
Day 5: Challenged our sales partners across Northern Ontario to spread cheer in their communities
- Superior Sight & Sound in Longlac put together gift bags for the long term care facility at Geraldton District Hospital
- Oshtugon delivered gift baskets to essential workers in Dryden and Sioux Lookout
- Square Three Wireless donated $1000 to the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund
- Donny B Kenora purchased and donated warm socks, mitts, hats and winter gear to Jubilee Church to distribute among Kenora’s homeless population
- Atikokan Enercom donated $300 each to Christmas Cheer (Atikokan), the Atikokan Community Food Bank and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 145
- Red Lake Marine purchased gift cards from local restaurants and donated them to the Secret Santa - Adopt a Senior program in Red Lake
Day 6: Purchased Christmas trees for Kiwanis Tree Lot patrons
Day 7: Provided Woodcrest Elementary School with art supplies to make Christmas cards for our neighbours at Pioneer Ridge
Day 8: Purchased 200 meals from New York Sub for clients at Shelter House Thunder Bay
Day 9: Gave away free smartphones to customers at the Tbaytel Store
Day 10: Shopped for, packed and delivered gift bags for residents at Crossroads Centre
Day 11: Made a $10,000 donation to Christmas Cheer through Acadia Broadcasting’s 36 Hours of Cheer campaign
Day 12: Shopped for and packed holiday hampers for families in need through the Children’s Aid Society
To learn more about Tbaytel’s 12 Days of Christmas, visit tbaytel.net/12days.
