SASKATOON – The ninth annual TLC@Home is once again bringing joy to Saskatoon students in need of Christmas cheer and it could use your help.
First started in 2006 by The Hairstyle Inn, Cameco and Global Saskatoon have since joined has partners in the gift program.
Shoeboxes filled with holiday cheer will go to more than 500 students at St. Michael Community School, King George Community School, Princess Alexandra Community School and Pleasant Hill Community School.
“Saskatoon and surrounding communities, because of their generosity, we are able to touch the lives of many children every year,” said Shelley Weslowski, the founder of TLC@Home.
“Since we became involved, and Cameco came on board, it has grown and we are proud to say that we’ve been able to make the season a little brighter for hundreds of children in our community,” said Lisa Ford, station manager and news director at Global Saskatoon.
This is the third year Cameco has participated in the program. The Saskatoon-based uranium producer is taking King George and St. Michael schools, along with donating assembling space.
“We want to make a difference in our community and this does that. We are not going to sell more shares on the stock exchange by doing this program and that’s not why we are doing this program, we’re involved in this because we do want to make that real difference,” said Jonathan Huntington, Cameco’s manager of communications and community investment.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Ford.
“This grassroots charity, helping our own Saskatoon children, fits in perfectly with our passion for helping those in our community,” said Ford.
“We have had a long standing relationship with Hairstyle Inn and Shelley and Laddie, who started TLC@Home, so it made sense for us to help them promote the charity and help by having our own staff get involved making gift boxes for the children.”
Watch below: TLC@Home preview
Next month, volunteers will visit the four schools and drop shoebox presents off in every classroom.
“It really is neat, you walk in, every kid’s got their name on a box and you work through the whole school,” said Huntington. “We measure this program on the amount of smiles and the amount of impact we make and last year was tremendously successful.”
“It is a very humbling experience to see the beautiful smiles from the kids when they get their Christmas box,” added Ford. “I hope it’s making a difference, and even if one child walks away in a happy place, it’s all worth it.”
Anyone wanting to get involved can pick up a shoebox or drop items off at The Hairstyle Inn Salon at the Mall at Lawson Heights or The Centre Mall.
Here are some donations to make Christmas that much better for the participating children:
- Hats, mitts, scarves or gloves
- Socks
- Craft items
- Gender appropriate toys
- Toiletries such as soap, tooth paste & tooth brush, comb, shampoo & conditioner (ziplock any liquids please)
- Healthy food choices
- T-shirts, Pajamas
“We look for something entertaining for them, so depending on the age, whether it’s a toy or a craft item, something they can do a game to play a book to read,” said Weslowski.
“In the case of boys, sports cars are always a popular item. Girls are always easy because you can put nail polish and jewelry.”
Weslowski says it depends on the shopper, but $20 to $30 to a shoebox is ideal. All boxes are checked to make sure they are appropriate and balanced.
The deadline to get shoeboxes back to the salons is Nov. 18. They will be delivered to the schools during the first week of December.
Cash donations are also accepted at the Scotia bank at Lawson Mall.
“This year, we are again seeing a great response from people in Saskatoon we wanted to get on board with the non-profit program … that’s a fantastic sign and hopefully it does continue to grow the cause we want to put smiles on kids’ faces as much as we can,” said Huntington.
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