{"id":600012730,"date":"2023-12-20T02:01:10","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T08:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winnipegfreepress.com\/our-communities\/correspondents\/2023\/12\/20\/wrapping-your-gifts-for-a-purpose"},"modified":"2023-12-20T02:01:10","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T08:01:10","slug":"wrapping-your-gifts-for-a-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winnipegfreepress.com\/our-communities\/correspondents\/2023\/12\/20\/wrapping-your-gifts-for-a-purpose","title":{"rendered":"Wrapping your gifts for a purpose"},"content":{"rendered":"

At St. Vital Centre, some people ask, after you go visit Santa and tell him all your secret wishes, does he make a list, then hand it to his elves, who quietly deliver them to the gift wrap booth? If so, where is your booth?<\/p>\n

As Santa’s elves, we are sworn not to tell what happens after youngsters tell Santa their wishes. But this year the St. Amant Foundation’s annual gift wrap and coat check services are right beside Warehouse One and the food court.<\/p>\n

For the past 13 years, St. Vital Centre has offered space to increase awareness of St. Amant. Since 2010, $210,000 has been raised in this effort.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"File\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

File photo<\/p>\n

The St. Amant Foundation is once again offering a coat check and gift wrapping service at St. Vital Centre until Dec. 24. <\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n

Juliete Mucha, executive director at St. Amant relies on its 450 volunteers to staff the booth, which is open from mall opening until closing time.<\/p>\n

St. Amant supports 2,200 children, youth and adults suffering from developmental disabilities and relies on annual events such as this one to provide monies for medical equipment that is not always government-funded. Hearing aids, customized wheelchairs, or portable oxygen tanks are a few examples required by individuals to experience a quality life.<\/p>\n

“Years ago, there were a few tables, and two to three people on each shift. To accommodate the demand, the shifts now include six people for less wait time,” Mucha said.<\/p>\n

As a regular volunteer at the booth, I can attest to that. The closer we get to Christmas, that paper roller cannot be used faceenough!<\/p>\n

We don’t all have gifted thumbs and fingers when it comes to wrapping presents. And let’s face it, gift bans just aren’t as exciting and suspenseful as opening a newly wrapped gift. It’s all about the presentation the shaking of what’s inside the box, and ripping, right?<\/p>\n

Let us not forget the sponsor Payworks, which helps offset costs by supplying not only its own volunteers but also the festive paper, ribbon and bows.<\/p>\n

Whether you’re visiting Santa or drooling over the overwhelming chocolate choices at Purdy’s, leave your coat and gifts with us.<\/p>\n

To make a personal donation or view an update, visit StAmant.ca<\/a> to see how St. Amant is working towards truth and reconciliation.<\/p>

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