Donations still sought for 2021 Christmas Hope campaign

MyCityCare Shop of Wonders offers a full family experience where families are able to shop for free at the ‘Shop of Wonder Toy Shop’. This season, the shop is set up inside a commercial space at the downtown Lethbridge Park ‘N Ride Transit Terminal, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland the whole family can enjoy.

The waiting area inside the Shop of Wonders. (Lethbridge News Now)

Jennifer Tribble with MyCityCare told LNN that, “the Shop of Wonders initiative kind of came out of creating an experience for families where they can come in and shop for each other; that they can come in and just be resourced with whatever they needed for the holiday season and whatever that looks like for them.”

She said Shop of Wonders began about six years ago in Lethbridge and since then, the initiative has spread out into multiple communities in Alberta, in British Columbia and in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

Tribble remarked that, “we were providing hampers and toys in a smaller Christmas initiative originally and we kind of came to a place where we were like, you know, we really want to bring families into the process and we really wanted to be able to have more of a connection with the families that were coming in and just be a part of giving them the resources they need for Christmas, whether that be stocking stuffers or gifts or just community in general.”

Lights, Christmas trees and a friendly bear are some of the sights families can expect to enjoy at the Shop of Wonders. (Lethbridge News Now)

Families who register get a personal visit at the Shop of Wonders, guided by volunteers, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Tribble said overall, the pandemic has not affected their program significantly.

“We’ve seen, I think, donations be affected potentially by that but not in any drastic ways that it’s hindered us. We’ve actually seen that our community has risen to the challenge and has been able to provide for those things.”

Some of the gifts available at the Shop of Wonders. (Lethbridge News Now)

For the Christmas Hope campaign, Shop of Wonders needs toy donations in all age groups, gift wrapping services and stocking stuffers, but gifts for infants and teens (ages 13-18) are in particular need.

Tribble said generally, they tend to see gaps in baby toys and teen item donations every year, with this season being no exception.

“In general, I think a lot of us are needing those baby and teen items because they tend to be most forgotten about.”

Sections at the Shop of Wonders include stocking stuffers and gifts for infants, kids and teens. (Lethbridge News Now)

Tribble noted that last year, just over 900 children and 1,400 individuals were served through Shop of Wonders.

“We definitely will need donations all throughout December to be able to keep up with any incoming registrations and different things, so it would be great if more donations came in.”

Families looking to register for the Shop of Wonders can do so here.

CHRISTMAS HOPE PARTNERS

Lethbridge Family Services hosts its Angel Tree campaign as part of Christmas Hope, which provides bundles for children up to 18 years old. Gift bundles are delivered directly to each family or by referral agencies. Organizers are looking for toy donations in all age groups, especially science kits, Barbies and books for all ages.

READ MORE: Angel Tree Christmas Campaign kicks off, estimated 2,900 children will benefit

The Salvation Army has its Toys for Tots initiative, which offers a personal shopping experience for parents and/or guardians and can prepackage toy/gift bundles for pickup to anyone who does not feel comfortable with the personal shopping experience. The Salvation Army is looking particularly for toys in the 0-2 and 13-18 age groups.

Both of Lethbridge’s food banks have listed the following items as items of need for the campaign:

Turkey/ham/chicken
Canned vegetables
Cranberry sauce
Stuffing mix
Canned meat/fish
Peanut butter/jam
Cereal
Dry Pasta
Pasta sauce
Baby food
Canned soup/mix
Canned fruit
Pork and beans
Macaroni and cheese
Instant noodles/Ichiban
Chili/canned pasta
Cake/pancake mix
Pudding/jello mix
Coffee/tea/hot chocolate
Chocolates/candies
Candy canes
Juice
Meat vouchers/gift cards

Volunteer Lethbridge says anyone looking to help out can contact their team through their website or via email at communications@volunteerlethbridge.ca.

READ MORE: LPS Charity Checkstop a great success for Christmas Hope campaign

Further details about the Christmas Hope campaign can be found here.

by Justin Goulet

Donations still sought for 2021 Christmas Hope campaign

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