The holiday season is a time of gathering, and at the centre of socializing with loved ones, there is always food.
Enjoying a meal together
In the coming days, Winkler Christmas Cheerboard will be offering delicious community-bonding foods and treats to fundraise for residents who could use a helping hand during the holidays.
To this end, on Friday, November 15th, there will be a fundraising supper from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler.
“On the menu is . . . ham, mashed potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, buns, and dessert,” says Lori Derksen of Winkler Christmas Cheerboard. “The church approached us and asked if we would be willing to have them host a fundraising supper.”
Derksen says that the cheer board was “thrilled” and “grateful” that the church was interested in supporting it.
“It's overwhelming in a sense that people are reaching out to us and saying, ‘We think this is important for our community and we want to come alongside you and help out with that,’” she says, adding that it’s also encouraging to see community members band together for a common purpose.
Smile Cookies
This same structure of joining together for a goal also applies to Holiday Smile Cookie Week at Tim Hortons from November 18th to the 24th, with which the Winkler Christmas Cheerboard is also involved.
“That's when you want to head to Tim Hortons to buy those smile cookies and support the cheer board,” says Derksen.
During Holiday Smile Cookie Week, half the proceeds of the baked goods go to the Winkler Christmas Cheerboard, and the other half goes into the Tims Foundation Camps fund, so the support manifests in the community in different ways.
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While the purchase of just one treat makes an impact, there is also the option of bulk orders. Placing a bulk order has the double benefit of providing community members with a special Christmas even as it treats families, staff, or friends to a sweet snack. At every level, connections are established.
Hundreds of hampers
Winkler Christmas Cheerboard’s fundraising has a significant effect. Last year, the organization provided hampers to 397 families and toys to 746 children.
“It can be really impactful, and specifically for people that have delivered hampers before, a lot of them will come back with stories saying, ‘Wow, that that really impacted me. The family was really grateful for the gift cards for the gifts for the kids, especially in a time of need,’” says Derksen. “We've [also] had families come back to us and say, ‘I needed a hamper in past years and this year, I don't,’ and that's also really cool [to hear].”
Derksen says that although the cheer board is always willing to help, it’s also “exciting” when families no longer need assistance because they are in a more stable place.
Anyone who would like to donate directly to Winkler Christmas Cheerboard is invited to click on the red button on its website.
“There's also a meter there showing where our fundraising is at,” says Derksen. “As we begin to receive donations, that number will start to rise. Our goal for the year is $130,000. If donating online doesn't work for you or your situation, our address is on our website as well. You are more than welcome to send a cheque or cash in the mail.”
At the time of publishing, Winkler Christmas Cheerboard has raised $32,605 to put toward sharing joy with the community.
With files from Ty Hildebrand and Jayme Giesbrecht