A group of elves is preparing to make an impact on families at Christmas.
Collection boxes hit the Foothills community Nov. 12, and volunteers are taking donations of toys and gifts for The Magic of Christmas, which has brought joy and brightened the holidays for families for more than 20 years.
“It’s really amazing to go and visit these families and see the joy on their faces when we visit,” said Jen Weisgerber, chair of The Magic of Christmas.
She said unwrapped gifts are always welcome but this year the organization is substantially lacking in monetary donations, which help purchase additional items.
“Our monetary donations are down this year, and it does appear we will be up in demand for visits,” said Weisgerber.
The Magic of Christmas is one of seven charities receiving funding from the 2020 Western Wheel Cares Campaign. Other groups include Rowan House Emergency Shelter, Foothills Country Hospice, Foothills Advocacy in Motion Society, Okotoks Pound Rescue, the Okotoks Food Bank and the Sheep River Health Trust.
Weisgerber said any financial assistance the organization receives is appreciated, because it helps put more gifts and smiles out in the community for those who are struggling at Christmas.
As far as gifts, she said they tend to be low on gifts for adults and teens, and last year there were noticeably fewer sporting goods and books in the mix. Gift cards are always a welcome addition for people who want to donate but are not sure what to purchase, she said.
For 2020, she said Magic will be low on stuffed animals, as it was unable to run its traditional Teddy Bear Toss.
The deadline for donating items is Dec. 11, as they will be wrapped on Dec. 14 and delivered Dec. 19, she said.
It’s always a joy to be on the bus with Santa and other volunteer elves for delivery day and seeing the impact the group makes on people in the community, she said. The people who receive gifts range widely.
“Anywhere from elderly people who are maybe struggling just with loneliness or human connection right down to little kids who are just so excited to see Santa,” said Weisgerber.
Over the years there has been feedback from recipients of Magic of Christmas visits who have said it gave them the best holiday they children had ever experienced.
“I had one lady who said, ‘I just left an abusive relationship and I didn’t think I was going to be able to provide Christmas for my children and you helped me do that,’” said Weisgerber. “Every story is different and you just see tears of joy and tears of intense sadness.
“We’ve visited people who have lost somebody in their life and mostly it’s just the joy, just sprinkling a little bit of that magic throughout the community and throughout these families.”
Bringing joy to people around the Foothills is what fuels elf Colleen Moore and has kept her coming back to volunteer for eight years.
She became involved through former chair Angie Steciw, who she knew through the Okotoks Curling Club.
“I just asked her if she needed volunteers and she said yes, so I started doing it,” said Moore.
She began by picking up gifts from collection boxes around Okotoks, and eventually helped out with wrapping presents and riding the bus to distribute them.
Out of all the roles she’s played, Moore said there’s no question her favourite part is delivering gifts to children.
“It’s just how excited the kids are,” said Moore. “Some of them are dressed in their Sunday best, decked out in their shirts and shoes and ties and dresses, and they’re at the window waiting for us and they just get so excited.”
Seeing the emotions of the parents and feeling gratitude from everyone they visit is also rewarding, she said.
Moore said she’s grateful to have the opportunity each year to volunteer and help people have a nicer Christmas than they might if not for a little help from Magic.
“It just makes me feel good to do it – I know that sounds silly,” said Moore. “It just makes my heart sing to be able to do it, and help, and have the reactions I get from everybody that we do.”
To donate to Western Wheel Cares: mail cheques to Box 150, Okotoks Ab. T1S 2A2 or visit OkotoksToday.ca for a Paypal donation link.
As well, you can drop by to the Wheel office at 9 McRae St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.)
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