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Wanted:Christmas angels in Campbell River

Hundreds of Campbell River families are hoping this community’s generosity will help make their children’s Christmas a bright
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Nici Ethelston

Hundreds of Campbell River families are hoping this community’s generosity will help make their children’s Christmas a little bit brighter.

The Downtown Business Improvement Association’s Angel Tree stands in the lobby of the Coast Discovery Inn hotel with the names of 300 local kids hanging on the tree.

Those who wish to participate with the Angel Tree are invited to select a tag hanging from the tree which identifies the child’s age and gender, their needs and their wants.

Some of the items from the card are purchased as gifts and then returned to the Angel Tree unwrapped. Volunteers then sort through the gifts, wrap them and turn them over to local agencies to be delivered to the children in time for Christmas.

Dawn Hamilton, who has been co-ordinating the Angel Tree for five years, said the kids have already been selected for the tree by several social agencies whose case workers have identified the children in need.

“The workers work closely with the families so they know them very well,” says Hamilton, who works for Campbell River Family Services. “Because I work with some of the clients on the tree, I see the direct benefit and gratitude of the families that receive the gifts. For some families, this will be the only Christmas present they receive this year.”

The cards specify the basic needs of the child such as toiletries and diapers for the babies as well as items such as jackets, socks, and underwear. The wants are typically toys, colouring books, or games, depending on the age of the child.

The children on the tree range in age from birth to 18 years old.

The Angel Tree begins this afternoon, Nov. 29, during Starlight Shopping at 4 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Tags can be picked up at the Coast Discovery Inn and items dropped off no later than Dec. 8. Pick-up and drop-off times are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. between Nov. 30 and Dec. 8.

The Angel Tree is also accepting monetary donations as well as donations of new toys and clothes.

For more information on the Angel Tree call Hamilton at 250-287-2421.