The Morden Christmas Cheer Board is gearing up for what it expects to be another busy holiday season.
Their thought is that there will again be a significant need that will at least match last year’s numbers, which included just over 300 hampers that helped more than 800 people.
“For this year,we’re expecting we will have at least the same numbers as last year, if not more,” said board member Allison Wiens.
She suggested there could be a number of factors behind it, but chiefly it’s current economic conditions that has so many families struggling.
“There’s just the rising costs of everything, so we’re just hoping to help people make ends meet over Christmas.”
Applications for hampers were available as of Nov. 1 online at mordenchristmascheer.com, but you can also pick one up in person Nov. 13 at the Morden Civic Centre. The deadline for submission is Dec. 12.
For those who want to support the campaign, donation boxes will be set up around Morden in various businesses starting around the middle of November.
In addition, Dairy Queen will have its Angel Tree set up to collect new or unused toys. Volunteers will also be at the Morden tree lighting celebration Nov. 18 to collect new or unused toys, books, and cash donations.
The week of Nov. 13-19 will also offer the opportunity to buy a Holiday Smile Cookie at the Morden Tim Hortons to support the Cheer Board.
You can also make donations by e-transfer to mordencheer@gmail.com
Wiens noted they will again do hampers that are built around gift cards.
“We still provide books and toys and school supplies for children,” she explained. “We give food and toiletry gifts cards and coupons instead of some of the actual food items, so people can then purchase what they would most like for their meal. We have so many people now from different cultures and different backgrounds, we want people to have what would make for a special meal.”
Wiens encouraged people to follow Morden Christmas Cheer on Instagram and Facebook to hear about more events as they are scheduled.
Otherwise, she extended her thanks to the community in advance of what they say is always strong support from the community.
“We have a really active board that works really hard to get everything together to make the hampers, and we have a lot of volunteers who come out to help us wrap presents and pack hampers and do the deliveries,” she said.
“We’re always overwhelmed by the support that we get from everybody in our area. We’re always grateful for everyone’s support,” she said. “As well, we have a number of people who plan events for us … so we live in a great community.”
