Help the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre make the holidays a little brighter for community families this season.
It’s so special to be together again and we know the holiday dinner is a favourite holiday event for many.
Angeline Nelson
The centre has officially launched its annual Toy Drive. Boxes are now set up at The University of Winnipeg Library, Security Office (1C33), and Student Services in the Rice Building for donations of new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Gifts are being accepted on campus until Friday, December 2.
All gifts received will be distributed to families in Wii Chiiwaakanak’s community learning programs during the annual Holiday Dinner on Friday, December 16 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Riddell Hall.
“Our goal is 125 gifts to ensure every youth 17 years of age and younger will receive one,” said Angeline Nelson, Acting Lead of Indigenous Engagement and Wii Chiiwaakanak’s Director of Community Learning and Engagement.
She added that the most sought-after gifts are the ones for teenagers, as the centre usually receives many directed for younger children.
You can find boxes like this one in the UWinnipeg Library, Security Office (1C33), and Student Services in the Rice Building.
Once again, Diversity Food Services and Les Marmitons are joining forces to deliver a delicious turkey dinner to the more than 200 people expected to be in attendance. There will also be activity stations for the children, including cookie and ornament decorating, a dance station, and a photobooth.
“As a team, we’re so excited to be able to celebrate with all of the people from our programs,” Nelson said. “It’s so special to be together again, and we know this dinner is a favourite holiday event for many.”
In addition to children from Wii Chiiwaakanak’s community programs, 40 children have been invited from the Spence Neighbourhood Association. Invites are also being sent to about 10 families, as recommended by UWinnipeg’s Aboriginal Student Services Centre and Master’s in Development Practice.
“We usually ask them to recommend families who they know who could use the extra support around the holidays,” Nelson said.
Can’t make it to a drop off location in November? You can still contribute to the Toy Drive by making a monetary donation online. Any last minute or extra toys will be donated to another community-focused organization.
