OLDS — The Olds & District Christmas Angels packed about 200 Christmas hampers this year, down about 10 from last year.
Each year in the run-up to Christmas the volunteer group collects and delivers hampers filled with toys, food and gift cards to needy families in the community.
“We had a very successful season after all,” Claire Rosehill, the Angels’ volunteer coordinator wrote in an email. “We packed approximately 200 hampers this year which included 258 children, 214 adults. Total: 472.
“We partnered with the adopt-a-grandparent program which packed over 60 hampers as well.”
Last year, the group filled about 210 hampers.
During an interview with the Albertan earlier this year, Rosehill said donations to the Angels were “definitely down quite significantly” and expressed hope that donations would pick up, as she anticipated another tough year for residents.
“Our cash donations really picked up the last week of our campaign and we had great toys donated as well,” Rosehill wrote.
“We had over 100 volunteers help over the campaign this year and are always so grateful for the support from our community.”
