Charleswood Cheer ramps up program

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This article was published 12/11/2021 (1609 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Even in neighbourhoods that are known to be relatively affluent, there are always individuals and families that could use a boost, according to one local group.

Charleswood Cheer is back for a second year and wants to get care packages to folks in need in time for the holiday season.

Lianne Tregobov founded the group last year and was overwhelmed by the response. She estimates Charleswood Cheer paired more than 50 donors and 50 recipients.

Tregobov scrambled to organize the operation, even making deliveries on Christmas Day.

“My objective was to say no to nobody,” she said. “We don’t judge. If you need, we’re going to do everything in our power to help.”

Laurie Reade, who stayed on as a volunteer for this season, came to the rescue, Tregobov said.

“I was a social worker for 36 years, so I did hampers for lots of my clients over the years. I knew that there was a lot of need that sometimes gets hidden in little pockets,” Reade said.

This year, with the help of more volunteers and a new website, Charleswood Cheer ‘s program is already up and running smoothly.

“I knew that I needed a team so we could accomodate all of the people who benefit from the program,” Tregobov said.

Erin Dybka and Karen Oliver joined the group after Tregobov put out a call for more volunteers to the Charleswood community Facebook page this fall. Oliver, who recently retired from a 30-year career in the non-profit sector, moved to Charleswood in July.

“It’s exciting to be here,” she said.

Oliver added that she sees this volunteer opportunity as a way to make a difference in the community that has embraced her.

“I’ve had such a great welcome to Charleswood. Everybody has been so kind and so hospitable,” she said. “I hope I’ll meet some new people along the way.”

At www.charleswoodcheer.com, interested parties can either choose to sponsor a family or be sponsored.

Participants can then fill out a confidential online form that starts the process.

Tregobov is a matchmaker by trade, so pairing donors with recipients comes naturally.

“It’s quite easy to interview all the people, determine their needs, and match them with people who are able to accommodate their needs,” Tregobov said.

The group emphasizes that it does not directly collect donations, monetary or otherwise. Each donor is responsible for purchasing a gift and dropping it off at a recipient’s home before Dec. 25.

Hampers typically cost a minimum of $75, but in the past, families have gone above and beyond for the recipients, Tregobov said.

“Last year, one lady took her family grocery shopping for a month’s worth of groceries. It depends on people’s ability and their desires,” she said.

The program centres around the expectation that sponsors will provide a turkey or a ham with all of the fixings, and that hampers sent to families with a child under the age of 18 will include a gift.

“We certainly encourage people to be as generous as they feel they can be,” Reade said. “Many of our donors gave a small family gift, or a gift for the parents. We want everybody to be appreciated over Christmas.”

Charleswood Cheer encourages neighbours to combine their resources to sponsor a family.

“Two or three people getting together, or two or three families can really make a difference,” Oliver said.

Those interested in becoming a donor or recipient are encouraged to sign up online at the earliest convenience.