OLDS — The Olds and District Christmas Angels need your help more than ever this year.
For more than 20 years, the volunteers of the Olds and District Christmas Angels Society have been providing food and new toys during the Christmas season to less fortunate families and individuals living in Olds.
The charity has done that entirely through the donations of individuals, organizations and businesses that provide the cash and gift donations for Christmas Angels hampers.
But it’s looking like this year will be an especially tough one for the Angels to raise funds, thanks to COVID-19.
Last year, the Angels distributed 215 Christmas hampers, up from about 200 the year before.
This year they expect to distribute even more hampers for a couple of reasons, according to Claire Rosehill, a spokesperson for the Angels.
“The pandemic has meant many people in our community losing jobs,” she wrote in an email. “It has also affected businesses in our community and their ability to support the Angels through cash donations.”
Lack of money is a big problem for the Angels this year.
“The Angels’ bank account took a big hit last year as we collected less than half the normal amount of cash donations we generally can expect," Rosehill wrote.
“We count on donations of toys from the community to fill children’s Christmas wishes and have always included gift cards for local grocery stores to help fill their cupboards with the cash donations we receive.
“Significantly less cash in our account means we are not able to purchase gift cards for food this year.”
The Angels have come up with a few fundraising initiatives to try and ramp up community support and obtain more funds.
With help from Home Hardware and Bluewave Energy the Angels have received a Traeger smoker. They’re selling raffle tickets for it. Tickets are $10. The smoker will be in various places in Olds during the next few months.
Residents can also help raise funds for the Angels by purchasing Angel gift tags. Those tags contain the child’s age and their wish this Christmas.
“They’re a great way for a family or individuals to shop for toy donations and feel a connection to giving,” Rosehill wrote.
The Angels came up with the idea for the tags a few years ago as a way for people in the community to engage with giving.
A couple of big opportunities for you to support the Christmas Angels will occur in mid-month.
On Dec. 12, the Angels’ annual Stuff the Bus event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. in the Candian Tire parking lot.
This year, the Angels actually have their own bus to stuff, donated by the Olds Auction Mart. In previous years, they've borrowed one from the town or a school. For the last few years they've just utilized a trailer for the donations.
And starting on Nov. 13, the Angels’ barrels will be dropped off in more than 20 locations throughout the community. The barrels are an easy way for people to drop off cash or unwrapped toys.
“We encourage the community to come see us, drop off their cash or unwrapped toy donations and spread some Christmas cheer,” Rosehill wrote.
The Angels will be participating in the Olds Regional Exhibition’s Christmas market Nov. 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
They'll be selling Christmas ornaments, accepting cash and unwrapped toy donations as well as selling Angel tags and raffle tickets for the Traeger smoker draw.
“We know we can count on the community of Olds to come together and make this Christmas a great one, even with all that is going on,” Rosehill wrote.
For a full list of barrel locations, Angel tag locations, details on the Traeger smoker raffle and the Christmas Angels’ event schedule, check out the Olds and District Christmas Angels Facebook page.
Also, watch for the Angels and their bus in the Christmas parade this year.
