The Humboldt Kinettes are starting up their annual Christmas Cheer Campaign to give hampers of food and toys to families in need.
The Kinettes got involved in 2006 and since then, the number of hampers has been rising every year.
“We know people need stuff all year round and we’re only helping them at Christmas time, but we feel it’s important to give people a good boost at Christmas time,” said Sue Young, chairperson of the Christmas Cheer Committee.
People can drop non-perishable food items or toys off at Curves or the Humboldt Mall. Dairy Queen also has an Angels Anonymous program, where an individual receives the age and gender of a child and can then buy gifts that will be delivered to them. Toys and food must be new and in the package. Young says they sometimes get donations of quilts that they will give to people who are best suited, but mostly the donations are food and toys.
For those looking to receive a hamper, applications can be found online at www.humboldtchristmascheer.com or picked up at the Good Neighbor Store, Partners Family Services, the Humboldt Housing Authority, or the Newcomer Centre. Applicants will be asked to explain why they want a hamper.
“We don’t have really specific criteria,” Young said. “Generally, it’s people who are low-income.” They will also make exceptions for people struggling for other reasons, such as if there are medical issues in the family and they have to spend a lot of money traveling to a hospital.
“We get a mixed reaction to the hampers,” Young said. “Some people don’t really want to react much to us; they just accept them and say thanks. Some people go overboard with the thank yous … we get a real variety of responses.”
Young said the number of hampers has increased every year; 87 were handed out last year. The campaign serves people from Humboldt and area, including Bruno, Middle Lake, Lake Lenore, St. Gregor, Watson, Annaheim, and Burr.
The Kinettes are also running the Adopt-a-Family program. Interested parties must apply (applications are found online or wherever Christmas Cheer applications are) and then pay $125 for a hamper for a family in need. The Kinettes will supply the ages and genders of children in the family and the individual in question can buy gifts for the children. Anyone can also make a financial donation by visiting the Humboldt Christmas Cheer website.
