Shelves filled with games and toys during the launch of the Angel Tree campaign on November 21, 2022. Lethbridge Family Services is asking for help in the final push of the annual holiday campaign. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Help sought in final push of Angel Tree campaign in Lethbridge

Dec 13, 2022 | 10:06 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) is asking for help.

For three decades, the LFS Angel Tree campaign has seen team members create gift bundles for babies, children, and youth around the region.

READ MORE: High demand expected as Lethbridge Angel Tree campaign kicks off

The LFS says 3,517 children have registered for the 2022 campaign.

Director of Advancement and Communications for LFS, Michelle Gallucci told LNN that volunteers have been hard at work bundling and delivering gifts. However, she noted that as of Tuesday, December 13, 2022, bundles still need to be created for 502 children in the community.

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Gallucci said ideally, they will have all the gifts by Friday, December 16 so volunteers can bundle them over the weekend, but donations are being accepted into next week.

She said, “We will make sure that no children go without some kind of gorgeous, Christmas bundle this year for Christmas morning, and we’re just willing to deliver all the way up until Christmas Day.”

A POSITIVE IMPACT

Gallucci told LNN that the Angel Tree campaign has made a positive impact on the community. She shared a story of one volunteer in particular.

Gallucci said, “We had one volunteer that came in, she was a youth, she was about 19-years-old. When she was eight years old, she received an Angel Tree package.”

“She said it made such a difference to know that anyone, someone in the community cared enough to give her a Christmas package, and she said it gave her hope to carry on because her situation wasn’t great, and then just the other day she was volunteering with us.”

Gallucci noted that the annual initiative brings people together, and praised the work of volunteers.

She remarked, “We have over 250 volunteers [and] they work so hard.”

“They have been through rain and snow delivering packages to families, and our businesses have gathered together, and they help us out with batteries and gifts and their time and their energy, and [challenge] other companies.”

Gallucci added, “It’s amazing how this community has come together, and we are so thankful.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Residents wanting to donate to the Angel Tree campaign can drop off items at the Angel Tree Toy Depot, located at 108-920 2A Avenue North in Lethbridge.

There are also over 100 toy drop-off locations across the city. More details, including a list of the drop-off locations, are at the Angel Tree Campaign website.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.