The Brandon Westman Christmas Cheer Board is preparing for what could be its busiest holiday season yet, with more than 1,800 hamper referrals expected this year.
Last year, the organization received 1,714 referrals but had the capacity to prepare and deliver only 1,200 hampers. Community groups, businesses and families stepped up by adopting 389 families, helping ensure every referred household ultimately received support during the holiday season.
With demand continuing to rise, Christmas Cheer is once again encouraging residents, organizations and local businesses to participate in its Adopt-a-Family program. The organization says its priority remains providing Christmas hampers to families with children, and community sponsorships play a vital role in filling the gap between demand and available resources.
In addition to increased demand, Christmas Cheer is also facing a future space challenge. After more than a decade operating rent-free from the basement of 710 Rosser Avenue, beneath the Brandon Public Library, the charity will need to find a new home for the 2027 season. The Board is seeking a partnership for approximately 15,000 square feet of warehouse space, ideally through a low-cost lease arrangement or a shared-space agreement with a local business.
Fundraising remains another key focus. Christmas Cheer hopes to raise $75,500 this year to cover food, gifts and program costs. The organization notes that approximately 92 cents of every donated dollar goes directly toward hamper items, with only a small portion used for operating expenses.
Residents can support the program through monetary donations, gift cards, gifts-in-kind, volunteering or participation in several fundraising events planned throughout the season. New donation drop-off locations have also been established at the Keystone Centre and the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.
Several annual community events will support Christmas Cheer this year, including Fill the Bus, the Brandon Wheat Kings Teddy Bear Toss, Don Amero’s “Amero Little Christmas” concert, fundraising breakfasts and local craft sales.
Christmas Cheer volunteers will begin workshop operations on November 2, with hamper deliveries scheduled for December 16 and 17.
