Dilico Anishinabek Family Care launches 16th annual Christmas Wish campaign

By Rick Garrick

THUNDER BAY — Dilico Anishinabek Family Care launched its 16th annual Christmas Wish campaign with the gifting of two Christmas Wish bags full of presents on Nov. 14 at Goods and Co. in Thunder Bay. Audrey Sawchyn, a child welfare intake supervisor at Dilico, and two of her sons presented the two Christmas Wish bags of gifts under the tree in the lobby of Goods and Co. during the launch event, which also featured two Christmas songs by the Paramount Live youth choir.

“I’ve been doing the Christmas Wish [campaign] for about eight years now,” Sawchyn says. “Every year, I take home bags and I take my kids out shopping. This is only two of my four, so every year, my boys and I, we all go shopping and we fill up a bag each.”

Sawchyn says the Christmas Wish bags include the age and gender of the child who will be receiving the bag and a list of what they like, need, or want on their wish list.

“I often get the kids bags of children of their own age, same sex, and we just kind of buy things that are on that list or things that we think they might like,” Sawchyn says. “These are my youngest two so they are still learning what that all means, they are still trying to understand why they’re giving this. I do have one that is 13 and one that is 22 and they’ve both been an active part of this. Christmas is a time of magic and the Wish bag [campaign] helps to give kids a little bit of Christmas magic.”

The Christmas Wish campaign has delivered more than 9,000 Christmas Wish bags over the years to children across the Thunder Bay district, including 13 First Nations.

“Every child deserves to feel the magic of Christmas, and the Christmas Wish campaign is one way our community can come together to make that a reality,” says Tom Auger, assistant director of Child Welfare at Dilico. “We invite everyone to join us in making this season special by filling a Wish bag. Your participation ensures that no child goes without a gift this holiday season.”

Dilico is aiming to fill 800 Christmas Wish bags this year, with bags available at Dilico Health and Wellness Centre on Court St., Dilico Anishinabek Family Care at Anemki Place in Fort William, Goods and Co. on Red River Rd., or a Starbucks location. The filled Christmas Wish bags must be returned by Dec. 2 so they can be prepared for delivery.

“Share the spirit of giving,” says Sarah Pelletier, assistant director of Child Welfare at Dilico. “Whether you’re a first-time contributor or a seasoned supporter, the Christmas Wish campaign is a meaningful tradition that can bring your family, friends, or workplace closer during the holidays. Together, we’re bringing joy to children who need it most and showing what it means to be a community that cares.”

Dilico also held a Christmas Wish Pop Up booths at Creekside’s Holiday Local Artisan Market event on Nov. 16, with others scheduled at Craft Revival on Nov. 24 and Magnus Theatre’s Elf the Musical performance on Nov. 30, where people can pick up Christmas Wish bags and purchase Christmas Wish Cards.

“Each card represents a donation that supports the campaign helping us reach even more children,” Auger says.

Dilico is also issuing a 10 Bag Challenge to the business community to make an even bigger impact this year with the Christmas Wish campaign.

“We’re inviting local companies, businesses, and organizations to commit to filling 10 Wish bags and then challenging others to do the same,” Pelletier says.

Information about the Christmas Wish campaign is posted online.