‘Organized chaos’ as well-practised Cheer Board rolls into final days of drive

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This article was published 16/12/2023 (714 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Christmas Cheer Board of Winnipeg operations have been underway for more than a month, with hamper pickup and deliveries beginning last week.

More than 5,000 food hampers have been given out already to people and families in need, with plenty more to come over the coming days. The annual local charity drive is expecting a milestone number of hampers this year, projecting close to 20,000 — up from a record-setting 18,313 in 2022.

Just 10 days before Christmas, efforts of the Cheer Board staff, including more than 300 volunteers, have been ramping up to ensure everyone has what they need for the holiday season.

While many know of the important work being done, few are aware of the excitement brewing inside the charity’s headquarters, which this year is located in a warehouse at 895 Century St.

“It’s organized chaos. I just love it,” Darlene McDonald, now in her eighth year as a volunteer, said with a giggle. “The people that volunteer are great and so are the clients that come in. They’re so appreciative, and when the little kids come in with them and they’re smiling, that’s my favourite part.”

McDonald volunteers between two and three days a week, mostly working the front door as a greeter. The 69-year-old retiree is responsible for guiding the various volunteers and visitors to the appropriate parts of the 35,000-square-foot building.

She’s garnered the reputation around the Cheer Board of being quite the firecracker, equipped with a holiday wardrobe that includes 20 various Christmas T-shirts, about 10 sweaters and a couple dresses.

“It is truly the hustle and bustle of the season,” said Cheer Board executive director Shawna Bell, now in her third holiday season at the helm. “There’s a lot of pressure right now just because we know that the need is still very great.”

Bell said there are 50-60 people working various roles on the floor. Each of the total 350 volunteers commit at least four shifts over the holiday season, with several committing much more than the minimum.

To get a better idea of what the hustle and bustle looks like, longtime volunteer Steve Lavergne said to picture a big hockey arena, only with the boards and ice taken out. There are even large wooden beams that scale the ceiling to help complete an old barn esthetic.

At the front of the building is the office area, which includes a call centre, where there are five stations for agents to take hamper applications. (Applications are still being accepted, with the final day Dec. 23.)

Beside the call centre is the setup for the Feed a Family program. It’s an initiative where people can sponsor a family by providing the hamper’s contents, as well as delivering it. Thousands of Manitobans take part each year.

“We’re taking calls starting in November, as the boxes are being stacked up beside us. The first day, we had 30,000 attempted calls,” said Lavergne, 63, who is now in his 12th year as a volunteer, a journey he started with his wife and two stepsons. “You then come in for your shifts in December, and you see the height of the boxes going down.”

Using a hockey analogy again, Lavergne said in the back of the building, where the ice surface would be, there’s a production line — about 24 stations, with a person at each one, in charge of packing a particular item into a hamper.

Schools will often volunteer students for this job, as well as various work and friend groups, resulting in about 200-250 hampers completed before the next group comes in. Experienced volunteers are on site to ensure things operate smoothly.

There’s also an area of the building dedicated to delivery runs. To make things easier, they separate the hampers into different sections, one for each part of the city. There are people assigning hampers and loading vehicles.

Delivery drivers remain the top need when it comes to volunteers. Deliveries are made through Dec. 23.

Toys for children are also a significant part of the hampers and therefore an important part of the operation. The Cheer Board has volunteers working around the clock to wrap thousands of gifts.

The rest of the available space is used to store hampers to be picked up, which requires people to come in and sign for. It’s important to the staff families feel welcome and not stigmatized for using the service.

“The people who are there volunteering, they’re there because they want to be there,” Lavergne said. “And we know there’s a story behind every door.”

For more information on ways to donate and support the Cheer Board, visit its website at christmascheerboard.ca or call 204-989-5680.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton