The division’s project sees donations matched with families who can benefit from some extra Christmas magic around the holidays. Families are identified and contacted through individual school principals to receive the hampers, which are anonymous.
Horizon’s board of education will match all cash donations up to $5,000, and tax receipts will be issued.
The need has increased every year and in 2020, 174 families and 440 children were supported. When the project began in 2014, 46 families and 98 children were supported.
Over the past seven years, gifts and grocery store cards have been purchased for 802 families and 2,063 children throughout Horizon School Division.
The division expects to have the numbers for this year finalized by Nov. 26.
In a statement, Kevin Garinger, Horizon’s director of education, thanked everyone who has donated.
“Our Christmas Hamper Project is possible thanks to your kindness and generosity,” Garinger said. “We are proud of the impact this initiative, which is endorsed and supported by our Board, has had on our families across Horizon.”
Donations of cash, personal hygiene items, blankets and winter clothing including toques, mitts, scarves and socks are accepted for the hampers.
To donate to Horizon's 8th Annual Christmas Hamper Project, community members are asked to contact Marni at the Division by phone at 306-682-8639 or email at marni.sogge@horizonsd.ca.
