The Winkler And District Christmas Cheerboard kicked off its 2024 season with the annual Holly Jolly Breakfast Saturday morning at Central Station Community Centre. The fundraiser marked the beginning of the Cheerboard's campaign to raise $130,000 for hampers this December.
"This has been a really long running organization, and we've always been so blessed that the community has embraced us and sees our vision and sees what we're here to do," shared Board Chair Crystal Rempel just before the doors opened.
Last year, the organization provided hampers to 397 families and toys to 746 children. In addition to the toys, each family receives a Gardenland Co-op gift card, with the amount dependent on the number of people in the home.
Volunteers give back
Winkler Fire Department had a significant number of its members volunteering at the breakfast, including firefighter Martha Nickel. "I feel like it's very important volunteering for the community," she said.
Firefighter and Winkler City Councillor Marvin Plett was also volunteering," This is awesome to participate in this fundraising event."
Cheerboard member Lori Derksen stressed the organization really relies on the community to help with its work.
"This is a completely donation funded venture that we have," she explained. "We rely on people coming out, enjoying pancakes and sausages, but also bringing financial donations to help us reach our goal of $130,000, so that we can help those in need this Christmas season."
A community ‘Thank You’
Meanwhile, Saturday marked the final day for Dan Peters being on the board, after serving on it for about eleven years.
"It's been a really, really awesome time," he said. "I never realized we had a need like we have in the City of Winkler and R.M. of Stanley. To reach out, and be able to touch people especially at Christmas time, is an awesome experience. We can't do it without the community supporting us and giving, giving, giving. Back in the early days, when we packed up boxes and boxes, like 1,500, 1,600 boxes full of groceries we packed up and delivered, that all takes a great big community, and a community with heart. My hat goes off, and my heart goes out, and my great big thanks goes out to the community and R.M. of Stanley for all the years you have supported the Cheerboard."
The Holly Jolly Breakfast was just the first of several fundraisers happening in the coming weeks. On Friday, November 15th, there will be a fundraising supper from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler. Also, Holiday Smile Cookie Week at Tim Hortons from November 18th to the 24th will also support Winkler and District Christmas Cheerboard. On November 24th the Winkler Flyers will play the Winkler Firefighters in a friendly fundraising game of hockey, with all proceeds supporting the Cheerboard.
According to the Cheerboard, $6,400 was raised at the Holly Jolly Breakfast.
If you, or someone you know, would like to apply for a Christmas hamper, the Cheerboard will be ready to help at Winkler Central Station every Wednesday, 9 am - 5 pm, throughout the month of November.
- With files from Jayme Giesbrecht -