BONNYVILLE – The number of families signing up for the Bonnyville Christmas Hamper program saw a slight dip this year.
On Dec. 21, volunteers and members of the Knights of Columbus delivered 284 hampers to locals, a drop from 2018’s record-breaking 302.
Dave Scott, volunteer and Knights of Columbus member, noted the amount of Bonnyville and area families that registered this season was still significant.
“We figured it would be just as high of a demand as there was before. In the end, it turned out to be a little less. Perhaps some of the families moved away from the area, and maybe that’s why we’re a little lower.”
Each hamper includes all the ingredients needed for a Christmas feast, including a turkey, ham, vegetables, and desserts for families in Bonnyville, Beaverdam, Goodridge, Glendon, Ardmore, Fort Kent, Wolf Lake, Crane Lake, and the surrounding communities.
In 2017, the Knights of Columbus organized 279 hampers, and the year prior there was 262.
“We always have folks that, due to different situations, are in distress or need, and programs like this provide assistance,” noted Christmas Hamper coordinator Gene Sobolewski.
There was no shortage of volunteers to help distribute the baskets.
According to Scott, people were showing up early delivery day.
“There were lots of volunteers this year from the community, as well as support from Knights of Columbus members.”
For roughly 40 years the local Knights of Columbus have made local families’ Christmas dreams come true through the program.
What started as a way of offering meals to those in need around the holidays grew to what it is today.
Now, with the help of Bonnyville Centralized High School’s Santa’s Elves, they’re able to include Christmas gifts in the hampers for boys and girls up to 17-years-old.
Over the years, Scott has witnessed not only how much the need in the community has grown, but also the amount of donations coming in.
“From when I was first involved back in 2008, it seemed like there was maybe one or two gifts per child, and now there’s closer to three or four depending on the age of the child,” he exclaimed. “I think it’s easy for Santa’s Elves to do gifts for the younger kids, and it’s always been a challenge for the older kids to get gifts.”
Sobolewski noted it’s not always the families themselves signing up for the program. In fact, they’ve had people nominate their friends and neighbours.
“They know some families that are in distress, and they apply on their behalf,” he continued.
None of this would be possible without the support of the community, Scott expressed.
“There’s always been assistance since I’ve been involved, and there’s never been any issues getting donations to cover expenses. Ever since I’ve been involved… they’re always very generous that way as far as donating their money as well as their time.”
Sobolewski agreed, “I just want to thank everyone profusely for all of their dedication and hard work that they did this year.”