CALGARY- A Calgary charity is hoping for a Christmas miracle, with just one week to go before the big day.
The Magic of Christmas has been delivering gifts to families in need for 30 years. Every Christmas Eve, they load up Calgary Transit buses and visit homes and hospital rooms—dropping off some good cheer along with presents.
“It’s a lot of fun, we bring joy to people,” says Vanessa, who volunteers with the organization every year. “It’s very rewarding to give people the gift of time.”
But this year, the charity is trying to help a record number of people, and fear they will fall desperately short of their goal.
“The boxes are a little low this year,” says Vanessa.
Those who work with Magic of Christmas fear that people are suffering from ‘flood fatigue’, and there is little leftover for the 6,000 people who still need help.
“Usually at this time of year we are not worried about donations, and today we are worried we don’t have enough to meet the need,” explains Cheryl Johnson, whose father started the charity by putting on a Santa suit to deliver gifts to a family in need. “It’s hard for everybody. We understand that, we know that, but we see the need every day and it’s hard.”
They plan to visit 400 families and 3,000 others forced to spend the holiday in hospital, and hope they won’t have to show up empty handed.
“We will be there, gifts or not, on the 24th to sing a song, give a hug and share with the families,” Johnson says. “We’ll visit, but it would be nice to give them a present as well.”
Those who’d like to help are asked to drop off a gift at donation bins that have been set up around the city. Click here for a list of locations.
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