The Brandon Christmas Cheer Board’s 67th campaign begins today (Nov 1) and runs until December 17th.
Last year, the Cheer Board was forced to suspend its operations due COVID-19, and donated food already in stock to organizations who were allowed to operate during the pandemic. The United Way made sure the food was safety distributed to many families in need who had registered with Christmas Cheer.
The board says “this year, with the availability of a vaccine, the Christmas Cheer board and its army of volunteers have returned. The Christmas Cheer board extends its sincere gratitude to the United Way, Samaritan House, the Salvation Army, and the many citizens of Brandon who filled in for us.”
The Christmas Cheer board anticipates a larger than normal demand for hampers this year due to the ongoing pandemic, and the rising cost of food and toys. In an average year, more than 1,000 hampers are delivered. Applications for hampers can be made through churches, social agencies, or schools. Confirmed recipients are then registered with the Cheer Board to avoid duplication.
The Christmas Cheer office (710 Rosser Avenue entrance on 7th Street) opens afternoons (1-4 p.m.) starting today (Nov 1) and full days (9-12 a.m. & 1-5 p.m.) beginning November 29th. Gift wrapping will start November 8th and hampers will be filled with non-perishable food and toys starting November 29th and will be delivered on December 15th & 16th.
In addition to hampers filled and delivered by Christmas Cheer, there are individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations that adopt a family or families. In such cases, the adopter uses the Christmas Cheer guide for hampers to fill and deliver hampers to their adopted family. The adopted family is registered with Christmas Cheer to avoid duplication.
This year’s fundraising goal for this year is $60,000 with 90% of the money going towards hampers and the other 10% is for operating costs.
Because of the ongoing pandemic restrictions, Christmas Cheer will not be able to carry on with its normal fundraising events:
– Canadian Tire charity table in November,
– Donations at the Wheat Kings’ Teddy Bear Toss night,
– Donations at the UCT Bingo in December.
This year, Christmas Cheer will be relying completely on the goodwill of area residents to make cash or in-kind-donations as our sole source of revenue. For safety and health reasons, the board encourages you to drop donations off at The Brandon Sun, mail donations (PO Box 50003 R7A 7E4), or donate online through our website http://www.brandonwestmanchristmascheer.ca/ rather than donate in person at the Christmas Cheer office. All donations, including gifts-in-kind, are eligible for a tax receipt.
Christmas Cheer does accept gifts in kind from individuals and businesses (i.e., donated goods and services), and a couple of events still have dates to be announced – Fill The Bus, where toys and food donations are accepted – and the annual Brandon Wheat King Teddy Bear Toss. The exact format will depend upon the provincial COVID-19 restrictions at that time.
Christmas Cheer is following provincial COVID-19 guidelines:
– Anyone entering the Christmas Cheer facility must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination (i.e., Province of Manitoba immunization card) plus proof of identity.
– Face coverings are required while inside the Christmas Cheer facility. Disposable masks are available at no cost. Hand sanitizer is also available.
– Visitors are required to always keep a 2-meter distance between them and others.
The Christmas Cheer campaign typically has over 200 volunteers helping to wrap, pack and deliver hampers every year.
