A few years ago a burly truck driver came into Innisfail’s Dairy Queen on Christmas Eve. He noticed the Angel Tree, which a week earlier was filled with the names and ages of children hoping an angel would bring them a nice Christmas.
The idea behind the tree is for customers to choose an angel to ensure a child experiences the special wonder of the holiday season.
On this day it was becoming perilously late. The truck driver was deeply concerned. There were still two angels on the tree. A pair of little girls, aged six and seven, might be left out, he thought. DQ owner Mark Kemball advised the man the former SAAN store was still open.
When the trucker arrived at the store staff enthusiastically helped.
“They totally outfitted the girls, from hair clips, to leggings to beautiful velveteen Christmas dresses,” said Marian Moritz. “They had a nice Christmas after all. It was a wonderful contribution on Mark’s part, the angel tree. He does this every year.”
And every Christmas scores of Innisfail residents dig deeper to ensure no child or family is left out.
Moritz, who is a volunteer and board member for the Innisfail and District Christmas Bureau, said the community is once again responding to the holiday needs of the town’s less fortunate.
As of Dec. 9, 105 families, representing a total of 204 citizens, have been registered with the local Christmas Bureau. The final registration date is Dec. 19.
Moritz said the numbers so far are on par with last year’s figures when a total of 141 families representing 333 citizens were registered.
“We are at about two-thirds of last year’s total. I think we are right on schedule,” said Moritz, adding community donations for Christmas hampers has been going well. “A lot of families hesitate, wait until the last minute.”
Citizens who want to utilize the services of the local Christmas Bureau can come to the bureau’s office at the former location of RE/MAX. The space inside the Innisfail Co-Op outlet was generously donated by the store.
Norma Hoppins, the bureau’s donations chairperson, said the agency will be providing registered citizens and families with food cards and a Christmas hamper which will have gifts for children and adults. The food cards can be used as needed but can not be used to purchase gas, cigarettes or lottery tickets.
She said each child will receive a main gift as well as toque, mitts, scarf, books, doll or action figure and stocking stuffers. Families will also receive a game and/or puzzle.
“We really let parents be involved in choosing books,” said Hoppins. “They know their child’s interests and they choose the main gift.”
She added children’s toys are not wrapped until each parent has approved them.
Hoppins reminded citizens using the bureau to bring their provincial health care cards. This is to provide proof of residency in Innisfail and a way for Christmas bureaus throughout the region to ensure there is no duplication of services.
Meanwhile, the Innisfail Food Bank is reporting community donations for the holidays is going well this year.
“Our community is always very generous and we are probably on par with last year,” said food bank coordinator Carole Sim, adding there have been several successful food drives leading up to the holiday season. She said the food bank could still use more non-perishable food items as well as personal products such as soap, tooth brushes and shampoo. “We have to fill the need now.”
She said between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011 995 families, including 1,500 adults and 1,100 children, in Innisfail and the region used the local food bank..
“That’s really scary when you think about how many children are using the food bank,” said Sim. “I am really glad we are here.”
