Volunteers spread Christmas cheer at Drop In Centre
Posted Dec 25, 2010 11:33 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
At this time of the year when many are caught up in the Christmas spirit, there are just as many people with no place to go.
This can be a lonely time of the year, but the city’s Drop In Centre and its volunteers are trying to do their part to compensate.
A handful of volunteers line up over 800 presents destined to people who frequent the centre.
Each Wish List gift is personalized and contains items individuals have asked for– from children’s toys to transit tickets.
The lead volunteer for the Christmas program, Natalie Ross tells 660News, it means a lot to the men and women who receive the generous gifts.
“A lot of times they fall sort of through the cracks. People forget that they’re human and Christmas morning it’s nice for them to just know that someone cares and someone took the time.”
She says one of the most heartwarming presents went to a man that was terminally ill.
“He just wanted to go back to Louisiana and experience Mardi Gras, and he did get his wish.”
Tim Pedersen and his wife didn’t even blink an eye before agreeing to take the time to help out Saturday.
“We decided this year to give up our Christmas day for the Drop in people because the clients here need to have what we take for granted,” he says.
Volunteers are also dishing out a hearty Christmas lunch and a ham dinner.
