THUNDER BAY – LIVING – This Christmas season, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care hope to make the holidays brighter for children and teens in need. Today, being International Children’s Day, representatives from the agency with the help of a group of young Christmas carollers, officially launched the Christmas Wish Bag Campaign in Thunder Bay and district. Carollers festively walked through Intercity Shopping Centre spreading holiday joy and details about the campaign and the need to fill 600 wish bags for a deserving girl or boy.
“It’s the perfect day to announce this amazing initiative in the community. International Children’s Day is a day to reflect on the challenges facing children in our community. Dilico Anishinabek Family Care works very hard to keep our families together. However, there are still some children that have to be away from their family at Christmas For others, there are presents to buy and lots of things they would like to do but have no money available. One of the best gifts we can give to children is to experience the gift of joy during the holidays;” says Dilico Anishinabek Family Care Executive Director, Darcia Borg.
Through the Christmas Wish Bag Campaign, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care is welcoming the donation of Christmas gifts from local businesses, organizations and families. Those who would like to participate in the Dilico Christmas Wish Campaign will be provided with a Christmas wish gift bag that they can pack with essential items, toys, books, clothing and learning tools for children between the ages of 0 and 17.
Each bag comes with a special child profile that gives details about the boy or girl who will receive the gift bag, such as their age and what they are interested in.
“Get into the Christmas spirit and help make a child’s Christmas wish come true. Charitable giving is a wonderful way to feel the spirit of Christmas and give a little joy;” Continues Borg. “The Dilico Christmas Wish Campaign is a very unique way of giving.”
Those interested in participating in the Dilico Anishinabek Christmas Wish Bag Campaign can find more details on the Dilico Christmas Wish Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DilicoChristmasWish), or call the Elf Hotline at: (807) 345-3763. The deadline to register for a Christmas Wish Bag is December 12, 2014. There are several locations for pick up and drop off making participation easy and convenient including both Dilico Anishnabek Family Care offices, Firedog Communications and Intercity Shopping Centre.
This is the sixth year Dilico Anishinabek Family Care has been coordinating the Christmas Wish Bag Campaign for children in need. Over 500 community members, families and businesses participated in the initiative last year, filling wish bags for 622 children.
