Image Credit: Sydney Chisholm / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

CENTRE FOR SENIORS INFORMATION KAMLOOPS

Operation: Secret Santa preparing to brighten spirits of lonely seniors in Kamloops

Nov 20, 2024 | 4:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a not-so-secret mission to bring holiday cheer to lonely seniors. The Kamloops Centre for Seniors Information has kicked off its annual Christmas campaign, known as Operation: Secret Santa.

Each year, the Centre for Seniors Information delivers more than 500 gift bags to seniors in the community who may not have an abundance of friends or family around.

Executive Director Brandi Allen says she started the project 11 years ago with around 75 bags distributed. Today, the campaign provides 500-to-700 gifts bags each holiday season.

“I can’t even tell you how many deliveries I did in the first couple of years where I sat in my car and cried, because the stories that I would hear from people that this was the only visit that they received that year, or the only gift that they received in however many years they could remember,” recalls Allen. “It’s really eye-opening to have an experience like this. To have a project that we do where the goal is to connect with as many people as we possibly can that don’t have connection.”

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The charitable endeavor also serves as a way for CSI Kamloops to get in touch with people who might benefit from services or programs offered by the organization, and to check-in on their overall well-being.

Allen says the Secret Santa project has also earned extra funding to put together a few gift bags at other times in the year.

“The City of Kamloops last year gave us additional funding to spread this out into the summer,” adds Allen. “As well, we were nominated for the Christmas Cheer Fund this year through the BC Interior Community Foundation, so that additional funding will make a huge difference in these seniors’ lives.”

Those with items to contribute to gift bags drop off at CSI Kamloops in Northills Mall, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sponsorship tags can also be purchased from the Christmas tree set up inside London Drugs Kamloops. Monetary donations are also accepted from CSI Kamloops via e-transfer, cash, debit or credit.

The deadline to contribute is December 16, and the gift bags will be delivered throughout the following week, leading up to December 25.