Christmas Amalgamated implements changes amid pandemic

“Unfortunately, we can’t have them going through all of the toys and handling all the toys, so we basically have to do most of it ourselves,” said Christmas Amalgamated coordinator Sally Whitson.

Volunteers pack boxes based on gender and age category.

Only one person is allowed in at a time and the intake area is cleaned between customers.

“Before we let somebody in, the pens are sanitized and the front counter where they sit is sanitized, as well as the chair, as well as the door,” said volunteer Tammy Woods. “We do that every time somebody comes in end every time somebody leaves.”

Christmas Amalgamated is well-stocked this year, but the customers have been slow to trickle in.

“We’ve seen very few people and the people who do come in say, ‘Oh, you are here,'” Whitson said. “So, I think a lot of people are expecting that there’s a possibility that we’re shut down. We’re just making sure that we protect ourselves and protect them, keeping everything disinfected and cleaned.”

Whitson expects things will get busier nearer to Christmas, especially one the food hamper program begins in December.

“The concern will be when we have to do the food hampers as to whether there will be enough funding because the funding for the donations have not started yet. But that’s not unusual, it’s not December yet.”

For Whitson and the volunteers at Christmas Amalgamated, the reward of the job is knowing families have something special to look forward to on Christmas morning.

Christmas Amalgamated is located in the Fortune Shopping Centre.

by Jill Sperling

Christmas Amalgamated implements changes amid pandemic

Our Community