Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Dylana Kneeshaw

CHRISTMAS AMALGAMATED

Volunteers, donations needed as Christmas Amalgamated opens for 2023 campaign

Nov 15, 2023 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — This is the 45th year that Sally Whitson and her husband Les have been organizing the Christmas Amalgamated campaign in Kamloops.

Speaking with CFJC Today, Whitson says the service has improved drastically from when it first began.

“The list that I was given was 100 families,” she says. “The toys were all used and half of them broken. It was not what it is today.”

During some of its busiest years, Christmas Amalgamated has served 2,000 families. For 2023, Whitson expects the need will be high as a result of cost of living inflation.

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“Just with the rents that have gotten so high, I mean there are so many families that are trying to figure out how to buy groceries let alone worrying about Christmas.”

People who want to sign up for a meal and gift hamper can do so at this year’s headquarters, located in the Cooper Centre on Eighth Street.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of the fact that low income people who have jobs do qualify sometimes for a hamper,” explains Whitson. “Quite a few of them are going to qualify this year if their rents have gone totally out of control.”

Volunteers are still needed to power the charitable endeavor, along with donations of food, toys and clothing. In particular, Whitson says she is always on the hunt for items for teenagers.

“People can either adopt a family, make a donation of toys, make a donation of food for the hampers, or the cash donations are tax deductible,” adds Whitson.

People interested in volunteering, donating or signing up to receive a hamper can go directly to Christmas Amalgamated’s location at 203-780 Windsor Ave. or call the team at (250) 376-0777.