Easter basket for community kids’ campaign begins
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An opportunity to spread a little joy amongst children in women’s shelters, Dignity House and Ronald McDonald House is here again for Easter.
The annual Easter Baskets for Kids drive will once again by hosted by local Discovery Toys play advisors.
Tia Sunley, a Discovery Toys advisor from Lorette, is leading the charge that will see Easter baskets assembled for up to 350 kids this year.
That number has risen from five years ago when they first began this initiative.
“There’s been an uptick in requests this year,” she said. “When I started five years ago our general request was around 250.
Recipients are children at 10 women’s shelters in Manitoba as well as Ronald McDonald House, Dignity House and several smaller organizations at Easter including in the Southeast at Agape House.
Each child will receive a high-quality basket which includes a Discovery Toys game or toy, book, toiletry products, Easter candy and other treats.
It’s a big task for Sunley and two others to keep up.
“The families in need are really what keeps me going,” she said.
A former educational assistant in Winnipeg, Sunley said she saw families at all different levels.
“I saw the different degrees of how family life is for those kids,” she said. “Some of the kids had a great home life. Everything was good, was provided, whereas the opposite was very unsettling and very heartbreaking sometimes too.”
As a mother herself, Sunley said it’s tough to imagine what it’s like being in a shelter over Easter and not being able to receive anything.
Sponsorship and donations are key to allowing them to reach their goal.
Baskets can be sponsored for $30 each with individuals and companies who donate receiving special recognition.
While cash donations are best, they also accept donations for toiletries, individually wrapped nut free treats and other miscellaneous stuffers.
The deadline to donate is March 13.
E-transfers are accepted at tiasunley@gmail.com. To donate by cash, credit card or cheque simply contact Tia at 204-290-6897.