LAC LA BICHE - Dozens more families, hundreds of adults and children in and around the Lac La Biche area, will now have presents under the tree and food on the table over Christmas, thanks to work of several organizations that partnered once again with the Lac La Biche Firefighters' Society.
After society members and community volunteers wrapped the donations and created the hampers in a day-long work been on Dec. 9, and assembly line of food and toy hampers were distributed on December 11 to families with children in Lac La Biche's region who had registered with the Lac La Biche Food Bank for the annual Santa's Helpers' program. The items in the hampers, including toys for children of all ages and food vouchers had been collected at community events and in local businesses since the middle of November.
"There have been a lot of really great donations," said Lac La Biche Firefighters' Society member Natasha Downes.
Food hampers for families without children were also part of the Dec. 11 distribution. Food items collected during the month-long Santa's Helpers campaign were given to the Waskaysoo Food Bank to help create the Christmas food hampers.
"We partner with the food bank each year to make sure we reach as many people as we can," said Downes. "A lot of groups come together to help."
With economic challenges and inflation hitting close to home in many more neighbourhoods this year, organizations across the county are reporting decreases in donated items this Christmas. Downes said the local Santa's Helpers program saw continuing support in this year's collection process — and it is truly appreciated.
Community support
"It is challenging for many out there, so when we have seen the donations coming in and the toys being collected — and the amount of community response — it's great to see," she said, explaining that recent events like the Festival of Trees, the December 2 Firefighters' Society Santa visit, the Light Up the Night event, farmers' markets and the Christmas Shopping Extravaganza, have all brought in much-needed items for families who are struggling. Donation drop boxes at local businesses and one-time toy donation events like the one at a recent U-11 hockey tournament hosted by the Lac La Biche Clippers teams, also helped fill stocking this year.
The Dec. 2 donation drive that saw firefighters and volunteers on the downtown Lac La Biche streets collecting money while an annual radio-thon was also bringing in donations helped to raise thousands towards the cause.
While it might take a few more weeks to tally all of the donations and the amount of families served, Downes says the support from the community continues to be a heart-warming holiday story.
"It's been an event including the firefighters — in one way or another — for at least 25 years, and every year we see the community support shining through."
