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It’s the final shopping weekend before CJME’s 46th Annual Santas Anonymous wraps up.
Val Wiks, community ministries co-ordinator for the Salvation Army Haven of Hope, says as of Friday there are 973 families registered to get some help this Christmas making sure there are presents under the tree.
“(That’s) lots of people with lots of kids,” Wiks said.
The need is different this year, Wiks said, explaining that there are more working families asking for assistance.
“They make a go of it all year long. They can have enough money for their rent, and they have enough money to stay ahead of their bills and buy groceries and clothes, but when it comes to Christmas, that’s an extra expense.”
Wiks says the Salvation Army is seeing a greater need for gifts for babies and children under five. For that age group, donations for things such as rattles, Fisher-Price toys, hats and mitts are needed.
There’s also a need for gifts for children from the ages of 10 to 12.
“They’re a little bit harder to buy for. That’s a good spot for a gift card to HMV, for movies or to go see something at the theatre.”
The Santas Anonymous barrels will still be out at various locations in the city throughout the week. All of the gifts will be wrapped at the Regina Food Bank on Dec. 12 starting at 9 a.m.
