If the first day of accepting applications is any indication, Christmas Cheer could potentially see an increase in families needing gifts in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area.
Close to 90 applications were submitted when the annual campaign kicked off Tuesday, according to Christmas Cheer convenor Diane Marshall. Applications for gift baskets will be accepted by telephone at (705) 575-5100 until Dec. 2.
“But I would encourage them to begin now, because on our first day we almost doubled what we normally take in on the first day,” said Marshall, speaking with SooToday. “It’s just proving even more so that there is a great need.”
Christmas Cheer applicants in the Sault and surrounding area — applications will be accepted from as far north as Batchawana Bay and from as far east as St. Joseph Island and Bruce Mines — will be required to provide a telephone number and an address.
“We clarify the ages of the children, we find out what they’re hoping for this Christmas,” said Marshall. “Although we may not have that exact item, we try to provide a gift in that area.”
Marshall says only new toys will be accepted this year, with the exception of books, puzzles, games and dolls. Gift cards, winter accessories and grooming products will also be accepted.
This year’s donation depot, located at the former IDA pharmacy in the Station Mall, will open its doors to the public Nov. 14.
“This year especially, we don’t have the room to set up a used toy department and a repair department, so we have gone to new toys,” Marshall said.
Christmas Cheer will be phasing out donations of food going forward, opting to go with grocery store gift cards as was the case over the past couple of years.
“It is a much more demanding operation that involves many people, and we have to do it in a quick order of time,” said Marshall. “This way, people are able to buy what they really enjoy.”
Distribution day is scheduled for Dec. 14. Any gift baskets that are not picked up will automatically go to The Salvation Army in Sault Ste. Marie in order to be distributed to those in need.
Christmas Cheer assisted 1,743 area households in 2021, with an increase of 100 gift baskets distributed to families over the previous year.