Santa’s Anonymous toys make kids’ faces light up

Every year for 49 years, families who need a hand up at Christmas have been able to turn to CJME’s Santa’s Anonymous to make sure their kids have presents to open beneath the tree.

Jillian, who asked to use only her first name, knows exactly what it means to need extra help to give her kids a Christmas.

“About 10 years ago for my two children, I was going to school and working one job and I just couldn’t afford Christmas,” she said on the Greg Morgan Morning Show.

Describing herself as independent and stubborn, she said it was really hard to take the step to reach out and register with the Salvation Army for a Christmas hamper and toys. But she knew what she had to do so her two young children at the time could enjoy Christmas.

“It was amazing to see their little faces light up and how much they appreciated it. They just got so excited and to them it was wonderful,” Jillian recalled.

She said it was a huge relief to have that option, and it also gave her drive and motivation to work her way through finishing university and getting a job to provide her kids with Christmas in the years to come.

“It makes you appreciate the kind people in the world,” she said.

Jillian said she wants her kids to grow up knowing the importance of giving back, because there are so many families who do need help.

The last day to donate a new unwrapped toy in bins around the city is Wednesday; the annual Wrap Day will be held at the Food Bank on Saturday.

Toy bins can be found at the following locations: