The Women’s Centre is once again working to put together Christmas hampers this year.
“For this year our goal is 30 ... If we were able to, to get 35, we could do that as well,” says Sara Hockett, the Women’s Centre Coordinator who’s organizing it.
They’ve gotten some donations, including a financial donation for some of the hamper items from the local Legion (branch #260) and some hams from a community member, but are looking for more.
“The major part of it is, we want to supply the Christmas meal. So we give the basic necessities for creating your own Christmas dinner.”
Everything they get from the community, with donations sometimes ranging from children’s toys to women’s clothing, cosmetics and perfume, says Hockett, adding that in previous years they’ve always had a very good response from the community.
“100 Mile is a very giving community as we saw over the summer and there’s a lot of care and concern for women and children who in this community have experienced violence.”
Getting a Christmas hamper has a big impact on those receiving them, she says.
“We have lots of hugely emotional reactions. A lot of people are very overwhelmed by the kindness that it is at times very difficult for people to ask for some support. As we well know, even if you happen to be working full-time sometimes if you have two or three children it’s very hard to come up with the extra little bit at the holiday season. So, our goal is to support someone to have a better Christmas.”
As a charity, they’re very grateful for all the support they get from the community throughout the year, says Hockett, adding that the majority of hamper recipients are clients of the Women’s Centre.
“I need the community to know how much the Women’s Centre appreciates that support,” she says. “You can never [overestimate] what even the smallest donation or act of kindness can make on someone’s life… Never feel that even if you gave $5 to the cause that that would not be appreciated.
“It always makes a difference. We’re able to do what we do because of the generosity of people.”