As Christmas approaches, the Christmas Cheer Board of Winnipeg has received a $150,000 donation with the Manitoba Government contributing $100,000 and the Manitoba Métis Federation, $50,000.
These donations couldn’t come at a better time, says Shawna Bell, the Cheer Board’s executive director, because the Cheer Board has experienced deficits over the past years. The Cheer Board has also felt the effects of the Canada Post strike, as cheques supporting the organization have been unable to be delivered.
Over 18,000 hampers have been ordered through the organization’s services, and Bell says the number will rise as Christmas approaches. Rough estimates predict that the demand will rise over 10 percent compared to last year.
And funding is only the start of the cheer board’s challenges — Volunteer Coordinator Debra Halligan says drivers are desperately needed to deliver the over 10,000 hampers packed and ready for families.
