Eighty children will get presents and 140 hampers will be filled with extras thanks to two events that raised over $5,000.
Several local residents who for the most part want to remain anonymous were thrilled with the community’s support.
“It’s awesome how the community came out. I thought maybe we would raise $2,500 or $3,000 at our auction but we totally beat that,” Gayle, who didn’t want to reveal her last name, said.
The volunteers held an auction and fundraiser on Nov. 18 in Cawston. The event raised $4,529.30.
“It was a little disorganized but we ended up raising a lot,” she said. “A lot of the things were donated from the food, hall, so many things that I can’t even remember right now.”
In addition to the auction and dinner the group also collected donations along with the Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department at the parade on Friday. They also cooked up some hotdogs available by donations.
Just under $800 was raised and a bunch of toys and food were collected.
“It was great. It was so much fun. We did it last year too so it was fun to see everyone again,” she said.
The group decided to donate $1,500 cash to the Keremeos and Cawston Food Bank. Several of the volunteers went out shopping to buy food items and personal items for the hampers.
Extras for the food hampers included things like special cookies, tea towels, gloves, and more.
For herself, Gayle said that she’s always helped others at Christmas because she didn’t have a lot growing up and wanted to make other people’s holidays better.
“For me I don’t like Christmas that much. I don’t have a lot of fond memories so when I can I like to help others have a good Christmas.”
The group is still getting donations sent in and expects the total to increase a bit more before the hampers are handed out.