in Winnipeg
Bringing Cheer Santa Claus Parade to the The Santa Claus Parade and the Christmas Cheer Board are perfect partners.
as gifts for all the children. In ad- dition to donated gifts and other goodies, Madsen says the Cheer Board needs to raise approximately $850,000 to cover additional items it purchases. “Approximately half of everything
the Cheer Board will participate in the parade, and families are invited to bring an unwrapped toy or hamper item to drop off at the host-a-Block party tents along the parade route.
The Cheer Board will participate in the parade, and families are invited to bring an unwrapped toy or ham- per item to drop off at the Host-a-Block party tents along the parade route. “The Santa Claus Parade provides a very real op- portunity for our community to come together and enjoy the caring and warmth for which Winnipeg is so well known,” says Cheer Board executive director Kai Madsen. Last year, the organization provided Winnipeg fami- lies with 18,218 hampers packed with all the items nec- essary for a traditional Christmas celebration. Madsen says this total represents assistance to almost 50,000 people, with children making up half that number. “We expect the need will be very close to the number of families we looked after last year,” he says. The Cheer Board has been a huge part of the an- nual celebration of Christmas in Winnipeg since 1919. Hampers include Christmas turkeys as well
needed for the hampers is purchased by the Cheer Board — the balance is donated by individuals, businesses, clubs, churches and others,” he says. The Cheer Board website at www.christmascheer- board.ca has a list of most-needed non-perishable items such as canned fruit, canned meat, canned fish and pastas, along with more information about how individuals and organizations can help. “Since this is a Christmas hamper, we also need things like nuts, candies and chocolate,” Mad- sen says. “In addition, we also need toys and gifts for the older children in the 10 to 14 years age range.” ❅
Stuck ina Winter Rut? Call for Emergency Vacation Assistance!
204 262.6000 1 800 992.8143 caamanitoba.com/travel Defrost this winter. Call CAA Travel to book a sun vacation today
Powered by FlippingBook