Some of the donations that have already been collected by the Nipawin Secret Santa campaign. (Facebook/Nipawin Secret Santa)

By Angie Rolheiser

Secret Santa

Gift donations being collected in Nipawin ahead of Christmas

Nov 12, 2019 | 5:00 PM

As some people begin their holiday gift shopping, some are left wondering how they will make ends meet while providing their family with gifts.

A Nipawin woman along with community partners are hoping to make the holiday season a little brighter for the less fortunate with Nipawin Secret Santa.

The campaign aims to collect new and gently used toys and items ahead of Christmas.

Organizer Jessica Griffin said most households have too much stuff and could most likely spare some items.

“I was looking at a pile of our stuff and thinking I needed to go through it, and many of the toys never really get played with,” Griffin said. “I was thinking it was sure a shame that there was no way to get it to families who needed it at Christmas time.”

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The target is to fill wants and needs for the holidays for children from newborn to age 16. Griffin added as of right now, they have mostly received items in the younger age group and are hoping to get more in the eight to 16 age range.

“Anything that you’d be happy putting under your tree for own kids,” Griffin said.

The schools around Nipawin, the Evergreen and Nipawin Oasis are taking in donations until the end of November. Griffin has also partnered with Kids First on the campaign as well speaking with outreach workers at the schools including the Wagner, Central Park, and L.P. Miller Schools.

“They really know which families are in the most need; they deal with the children on a regular basis and thank goodness for them, really,” Griffin said.

The campaign is also in need of new wrapping paper, tape, new and or gently used gift bags that are Christmas or winter-themed. Books or crafting items in new or excellent condition are also being accepted.

“I’m hoping to sort and organize the next week and then get families in to choose a gift around the second week in December,” Griffin said.

As of Tuesday, Griffin was unsure on the goal for donations but said no donations would go to waste.

“I just want to collect as much as possible and then with whatever is leftover, we will get it out to other families that just need a hand up this Christmas,” she said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser