Photo by Katlyn Streilein\n(From left) Karen Oliver, Lianne Tregobov, and Laurie Reade are a few of the volunteers leading the second-annual edition of Charleswood Cheer, a grassroots group that connects gift hamper donors and recipients ahead of the holiday season.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\nTregobov scrambled to organize the operation, even making deliveries on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Laurie Reade, who stayed on as a volunteer for this season, came to the rescue, Tregobov said.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
This year, with the help of more volunteers and a new website, Charleswood Cheer ‘s program is already up and running smoothly.<\/p>\n
“I knew that I needed a team so we could accomodate all of the people who benefit from the program,” Tregobov said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“It’s exciting to be here,” she said.<\/p>\n
Oliver added that she sees this volunteer opportunity as a way to make a difference in the community that has embraced her.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
At www.charleswoodcheer.com, interested parties can either choose to sponsor a family or be sponsored.<\/p>\n
Participants can then fill out a confidential online form that starts the process.<\/p>\n
Tregobov is a matchmaker by trade, so pairing donors with recipients comes naturally.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Hampers typically cost a minimum of $75, but in the past, families have gone above and beyond for the recipients, Tregobov said.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Charleswood Cheer encourages neighbours to combine their resources to sponsor a family.<\/p>\n
“Two or three people getting together, or two or three families can really make a difference,” Oliver said.<\/p>\n
Those interested in becoming a donor or recipient are encouraged to sign up online at the earliest convenience.<\/p>
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