Flyers/Fire Dept. Charity Classic is on Nov. 5
The Winkler and District Christmas Cheerboard kicks off another season of giving in a big way next week.
The Cheerboard’s “Holly Jolly Weekend” features two events on Saturday, Nov. 4 and Sunday, Nov. 5 to mark the start of the 2023 fundraising campaign.
First up is the Holly Jolly Breakfast at the Central Station Community Centre (555 Main St.) that Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m.
“The whole community is invited to come support us and enjoy a nice breakfast along with entertainment,” says Cheerboard president Crystal Rempel. “We’ve got some great groups lined up that morning with live Christmas music.”
On the menu is pancakes, sausage, and juice or coffee, all by donation.
The next day is the second annual Charity Classic, which pits the Winkler Flyers junior hockey team against members of the Winkler Fire Department.
The friendly game begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Winkler Centennial Arena. Admission is $2, with all funds going to the Cheerboard.
“There will be some raffles for great prizes, a 50/50, and we’ll be selling hot chocolate and cotton candy and coffee,” Rempel says, noting the fire department is also bringing fire trucks for people to explore. “All the money raised will go directly to the Cheerboard.”
Last year’s inaugural competition drew upwards of 800 people and raised $10,000.
“We’re doing it in the afternoon this year so hopefully more families and younger kids feel they don’t have to be out too late and they can come enjoy the fun as well,” says Rempel.
Following up on the Holly Jolly Weekend, the local Tim Hortons is selling Holiday Smile Cookies in support of the Cheerboard from Nov. 13-19. Half of the proceeds from each cookie sale will go to the local campaign, with the other 50 per cent supporting Tim Horton’s Foundation Camps.
The community’s support of these events will help the Cheerboard reach the estimated $130,000 needed to send out hundreds of care packages to families in need the first week of December.
Last year they distributed 424 such packages, and Rempel says they’re preparing for at least that much again this year.
In lieu of actual hampers filled with food, the Cheerboard will once again be delivering grocery gift cards along with wrapped toys as gifts for younger kids and gift cards for teenagers.
“It just works so much better for the more diverse community that we are growing into,” says Rempel “It can suit everyone’s needs better because they can pick their own foods, foods they’ll actually eat, and have the dignity to make those choices on their own at the store.”
Volunteers will be wrapping presents and bundling gift cards Dec. 5-6 and then delivering them on the 6th.
Digital hamper applications will be available soon. The link will be distributed by local service reps who work with families in need, but you can also reach out to Central Station to see if you qualify or to get help filling out the form.
Donations to the Winkler and District Christmas Cheerboard can be made online through their website (winklercheerboard.com) or in person at any of the above events or at the Winkler Co-op grocery store closer to the end of November.
