Volunteers help ship out Christmas Cheer donations (6 photos)

After months of collecting, sorting, customizing, and packaging, the hardworking team of volunteers at the Station Mall’s Christmas Cheer Depot had their donation gifts shipped out to 50 sub-depots across the district today.

Volunteers from Sault Fire Services, the Sault Armoury, and Fisheries and Oceans are picking up and dropping off dozens of boxes filled with toys, gifts and other items for children and adolescents in need of some holiday spirit.

Christmas Cheer convenor Diane Marshall says demand this year was higher than ever, and she’s beyond proud of her team for their additional efforts this season in ensuring no child goes without a present.

“We assisted 1,985 families this season; over 200 more families than we had last year,” she says. “We knew we’d end up with more simply because that’s the story of today. All these people are having more challenges and they need assistance.”

“We have such a dedicated team that works for this program,” she adds. “When we are in the midst of packing all the boxes, they just work their hearts out. They try to make every gift as meaningful as possible. Our team is excellent.”

If recipient families missed out on picking up their items at their designated sub-depot today, they still have an opportunity to grab their gifts at the Station Mall depot tomorrow.