Christmas Cheer meets hamper goal

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/12/2023 (1060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Joy to the world!

The Brandon and Westman Christmas Cheer Registry is thrilled it will be able to give a Christmas hamper to everyone who asked for one, thanks to the overwhelming support of the community.

When the not-for-profit group launched this year’s campaign on Nov. 2, they had to put a limit on the number of hampers they could pack at 1,100. But the need surpassed that number and the registry put out a call to adopt the families who had requested hampers that they couldn’t accommodate.

As of this week, all 333 hampers to be prepared by community sponsors had been spoken for.

Myrna Lane, vice chair of the Brandon and Westman Christmas Cheer Registry, who has been a volunteer with the organization since 1986, said they were so pleased and relieved with the “amazing” community support. She said some different marketing techniques really helped get the word out this year.

“We always used radio or paper to say we’re short of something. But now with social media and Facebook, it’s an instant response,” Lane said, adding volunteers are always willing to help with anything that’s needed.

“Brandon — they just step up. And our volunteers as we have them come in, they always say as they’re going out, “If you need help in the end or anything, just give me a call and I can come.”

Lane said between 350 and 400 volunteers, from school and church groups, individuals, families, social agencies and even some dignitaries came in to wrap presents, make candy bags and pack hampers. Lane said the registry also relies heavily on the help of Sobeys and Safeway and cash donations to make up for what they didn’t get in donations. This year, Lane said, the registry had to buy soup and they often have a volunteer go out to buy toys.

The registry is still a bit short of their financial goal of $84,000, but Lane said she was pleased with what they had so far.

“We have a basic idea of what it takes to run Christmas Cheer for this season. We know what kind of food we need for a year and estimate how many hampers. We know how much that takes, but we don’t know for sure until we get the applications,” said Lane. “Then the funds that we generate now are going to help run the Christmas registry next year.”

The volunteers – many who are “working” board members — were finished packing their 1,100 hampers by Friday afternoon and were happily getting ready to set up for the delivery days – next Wednesday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 14. Those community members who adopted families will deliver the hampers themselves. Drivers are still needed for Thursday morning. After Dec. 15, Christmas Cheer closes up for a short break – and then board members will be back at it for Christmas 2024 in February.

» khenderson@brandonsun.com