While it’s hotly debated how early is too early to take the Christmas decorations out of storage, perhaps everyone can agree on a less controversial holiday timeline: it’s never too early to begin spreading cheer.
Thrifting in support
On Wednesday this week (October 30th), Hope Thrift Store in Morden will help kickstart the season of giving with the Morden Christmas Cheer Board.
“They're actually going to be donating back all of their sales to Morden Christmas Cheer,” says Chelsey Delaquis of the cheer board. “We’re going to be there for the day . . . collecting donations [as well], and saying thank you, so come down and say hi.”
For Delaquis, the thrift store’s willingness to support the holiday initiative is a further reminder of the community’s enthusiasm for the Morden Christmas Cheer Board.
“It just makes you feel pretty good that you're recognized, and that people want to give back to the people in their community,” she says.
Stories and crafting
The next installment of community appearances for the Morden Christmas Cheer Board will be at Morden Library on November 16th.
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This festive event will include a holiday story time and a craft painting session featuring Clay Owl. Gardenland Co-op will sponsor a snack to accompany the fun activities.
“It'll be just kind of a nice start of the holiday season,” says Delaquis. “Morden Library [is] a great supporter of our program. They've donated that space. I can't say enough good things about our local libraries.”
The holiday story and painting project happens at 10 a.m. on November 16th. All ages are welcome. The cost for each attendee is $20, and pre-registration is required by November 12th. Please register at mordenchristmascheerpr@gmail.com.
Smiles for smiles
A few days later beginning on November 18th, there will be another opportunity to support the cheer board with Holiday Smile Cookie Week. From the 18th to the 24th, cookies will be on sale at Tim Hortons for $1.50. Half the proceeds from Morden’s location will go to Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, and half to the Morden Christmas Cheer Board.
“It's always a lot of fun. I don't know what makes those cookies so good . . . with that icing smile, but it’s a great week,” says Delaquis, adding that anyone who would like to place a bulk order of smile cookies is encouraged to email the cheer board at mordenchristmascheerpr@gmail.com.
An annual tradition
After some thrifting, holiday crafts, story time, and cookies, everyone will be primed and ready for the big event on November 23rd — Morden’s tree-lighting ceremony at the Morden Civic Centre. Delaquis says that the cheer board will also be at this “magical” event collecting monetary donations as well as toys, books, and canned goods.
What does it all amount to?
Now that the Morden Cheer Board’s events are laid out for the upcoming holiday season, one may wonder what all the donations will go to in the community. Delaquis sums it up:
“Really what you're doing is helping families create a positive holiday memory,” she says. “That's the goal of our board — to provide those extras to give the whole holiday experience to families that just need a little helping hand over that season.”
The cheer board assists people in the community by handing out hampers. Last year, 364 hampers were given out to families, which is an increase of 60 hampers from the 2022 season. Just over 1,000 people benefitted from the community’s generosity. This year, Chandra McLean of the Morden Cheer Board says the goal is 400.
“Our entire Christmas cheer runs off of donations, so without our community support, we can't give back to the community [with] these holiday hampers,” says Delaquis. “Any kind of promotional social media, any donation of money or toys or books or craft supplies goes directly back to the community.”
Delaquis says that for her personally, seeing toy donations is particularly heart-warming.
“Those are always the best kind of thing to see coming through because let's be real — the holiday season is the most important to kids,” she says. “Growing up, that's always the best part. To wake up on Christmas morning and have a gift to open.”
For Morden Christmas Cheer Board updates as the holiday season progresses, follow the organization on Facebook.
~With files from Jayme Giesbrecht and Ty Hildebrand~