Crystal Kids Youth Centre is giving underprivileged children the gift of giving. Their annual Santa’s Market is coming up on December 15th. This event allows for the kids to shop for their friends and families using their “Santa Bucks”, virtual dollars tracked by the staff. Crystal Kids employee, Sara Dirks, says this event has a huge impact on the kids at the centre.
“Santa’s Market is a really important part of our programming here because it gives kids who don’t normally have the opportunity or the means to buy Christmas gifts the chance to do so. A lot of our kids come from families that are below the poverty line, so this gives them a really good opportunity to have a really great Christmas” – Sara Dirks, Crystal Kids employee.
In order to make this event possible, the centre is in need of donations. “We are accepting donations of new or gently-used toys, books, games, clothes, unopened bath or beauty products, accessories — basically anything you would feel proud to give to your own loved ones.” says Dirks. At the event they will also wrap the gifts for the kids once they’re done shopping, so the centre is also asking for tape, gift wrap and bags.
Donations are being accepted from now until December 14th. For more information on how to donate or volunteer at Santa’s Market, email santas-market@crystalkids.org
