Charleswood Cheer spreads joy

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This article was published 18/01/2021 (1744 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Neighbours helping neighbours. That’s the sweet and simple concept behind Charleswood Cheer, an initiative that aimed to ensure no one in the community went without essentials during the holidays.
Lianne Tregobov launched the successful hamper project, drawing on her professional experience as a matchmaker to pair up sponsors with recipients.

Community support poured in, and the initiative provided food hampers, Christmas gifts and a sense of solace to more than 100 local families.

“Charleswood neighbours just jumped up to the plate — and it wasn’t typical hampers. I had one sponsor make a $3,000 hamper in memory of her father who had recently passed,” said Tregobov, who also co-founded Gowns for Grads.

“Another lady took the family shopping and bought them groceries for a month. It was an idea that had a domino effect, and it impacted far more people than I initially thought it would.”

Charleswood resident Lana Elliott-Bruce was taken by surprise to receive a hamper because she wasn’t even aware the project existed. Volunteers had brought Pembina Trails School Division on board, so staff members helped to refer families such as hers.

Elliott-Bruce, a single mom of five, tumbled into tough times in recent years and has done everything possible to stay afloat — including selling her bed to pay the rent.

“I hadn’t asked for anything out loud, but I said a prayer to my angels to help me because I didn’t know what to do anymore. I’m a good mother. I provide for my children and stabilize the home, but I totally forgot about myself in all of the brokenness,” she said.

“When Lianne called and asked what I wanted, I didn’t expect anything. But everyone has dreams. I wished for a bed because I’ve been sleeping on the couch for over a year.”

Not only did her hamper sponsors provide a new bed and mattress, a different sponsor bought all the bedding. In addition, the family received gifts and food for the holidays and beyond.

“Our cupboards hadn’t been that full in three years. Words cannot describe the support of the community. It brought all of us together in a special way and reminded us that there is light and goodness in humanity. It was a beautiful, blessed Christmas,” Elliott-Bruce said.

“Everyone’s facing the struggles of this pandemic, but with support you don’t feel that you have to climb this mountain all by yourself. There are many different faces of poverty, like our story and many others. But above all, love for each other is what endures it.”

Similarly, Concon Perez and her husband Mac were grateful to receive a hamper and astounded by the generosity of the community. Their children, nine-year-old Cary and three-year-old Oleevya, were delighted to receive a Little Tykes kitchen and many other surprises.

“Lianne matched us to a very generous group of people from River West Park School. When they delivered all the gifts and hamper, I was teary-eyed,” she said.

“They also included my mother-in-law for the gifts. My husband was overwhelmed by everything. He said they were so awesome and generous to give all these things.”

Cheryl McCombe, principal at Westgrove School, is grateful that Charleswood Cheer included the school community in the project.

“The impact is huge. It offers a moment of relief from stress and lets them know they haven’t been forgotten. I appreciate the connection with the community and school and families, which we always want to reinforce,” McCombe said.

“It was another wonderful example of all of us coming together to support each other. It sheds light onto the fact that everybody has their stories. It’s so important for us to not judge and realize that everybody is doing their best.”

Tregobov plans to continue with Charleswood Cheer in future years.

“This year is a huge lesson for people. It doesn’t matter what your address is, how you dress or what you look like,” she said.

“Nobody knows how much people are struggling. Our objective was to prove no matter what is going on in the world, there truly is a Santa Claus.”