This Christmas, a group of local helpers will be packing at least 40 boxes full of Christmas dinner and gifts for kids to help families in Collingwood and Wasaga Beach enjoy a holiday feast.
Debbie Yaniw started a local Christmas box program six years ago when she posted a free turkey on Facebook "to a family in need." The messages rolled in, and Yaniw packed six boxes of food and gifts for local families that first year.
The goodwill multiplied with Yaniw and her friends and family packing around 30 boxes a year. Word has spread and many regular donors return each year with gifts, food, money, or volunteer time for the cause.
"It's been a rough few years, but people are all really building community spirit more than ever before," said Yaniw.
Now she's part of the Beach Family Alliance, and will be working with them to deliver this year's Christmas boxes. The team includes Yaniw, Melanie Case, Maxine Kessler, and Pam Baker.
"I joined with some wonderful women to help bring a more family-oriented community to the Wasaga area," said Yaniw, who lives in Wasaga Beach with her husband and two children.
Each Christmas box contains gift certificates for turkeys, potatoes, canned vegetables, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, juice, buns and desserts as well as a small gift for each child in the family.
Though the season gets extra hectic with the added task of coordinating dozens of Christmas boxes and the items donated for them, Yaniw and the Beach Family Alliance simply looks to Father Christmas for fuel to keep going.
"If Santa can handle it, then so can we!" she said. "Every moment of stress and rushing around is worth it to make Christmas more special for a family who truly needs it."
If you or someone you know needs "Christmas in a Box" this year, you can sign up online here.
As the season approaches and families sign up for Christmas boxes, the Beach Family Alliance will post lists of needs to their Facebook page here. To donate items, cash, or grocery gift cards to the program, reach out to the Beach Family Alliance on Facebook.
