Dilico Anishinabek Family Care Christmas Wish campaign continues
By Rick Garrick
THUNDER BAY — Dilico Anishinabek Family Care launched its 13th annual Christmas Wish campaign on Nov. 15 with a new option for participants to purchase a bear for their Christmas Wish bag or a child in need.
“Participants can either buy a bear [for a child in need] or purchase one to add to their Christmas Wish bag to support the campaign,” says John Dixon, director of integrated services at Dilico. “Christmas means so much to a child. It’s a time of miracles, celebrations and wonder, but for some families, it’s often a time for stress as tight budgets collide with children’s hopeful hearts and wishes. The Dilico Christmas Wish campaign is about more than toys — it’s a chance for us to tell children in our community that they are loved, that they matter and that someone is thinking of them.”
Dixon says the children are “pretty excited” when they get their gifts on Christmas Day.
“Sometimes in some families, they might be one of the only gifts they get for that year,” Dixon says. “To wake up and get some socks and some mitts and some toys and all those kind of things, the kids are pretty happy to receive those.”
Dixon says this year has been a “particularly tough time” due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and people not having the connections they did before the pandemic.
“It’s nice to make sure that we’re able to kind of fulfil that void where it exists,” Dixon says. “Our [Christmas Wish bags] demand has grown over the years — we’re targeting 700 but I think we’ll probably exceed that. We have exceeded our targets on many other years and I think it is important to set higher targets because the need is always there and always growing.”
Dilico launched the Christmas Wish campaign, which is sponsored by Sovereign Dental, at Dilico’s Abiinojiishiik Amino Yawook Early ON Centre in Thunder Bay.
“The annual campaign is known for its bright red [Christmas Wish] bags that are gifted to babies, children and youth that are in need just in time for Christmas,” says Natalie Paavola, director of health services at Dilico. “The special thing about the bags is you get a little information about the children behind the wishes, like a little girl who loves to play with dolls or a toddler that can use some development toys. Based on the profiles, each Christmas Wish bag is filled with essential items, toys, books, warm clothing and learning tools.”
Paavola says the Christmas Wish campaign has become a holiday tradition for many people in the community.
“A lot of families go shopping for their bags together every year to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, while businesses and organizations make it part of their annual festivities,” Paavola says. “Today, Redwood Park Church announced that it is committed to fill 175 bags. The church has been participating in the campaign for the last six years.”
Dixon says people can pick up a Christmas Wish bag at Dilico Anemki, Dilico Heath Park, Firedog Communications or Starbucks at the Arthur Street Marketplace or they can sign up online by Dec. 5.
“All filled Wish bags are due back by Dec. 6,” Dixon says. “This is important to ensure they are delivered on time for Christmas.”
The Christmas Wish campaign has provided Christmas wishes to about 6,700 children since the first Christmas Wish campaign in 2008.
“Dilico wants every child and family to feel the joy and magic of the holiday season,” says Darcia Borg, executive director at Dilico. “We want to show every child that wishes can come true.”