Regina Christmas Wish List works to help families in need get something under the tree

As Christmas approaches, several charities and organizations in Regina are trying to make sure every family has a happy holiday.

One such organization is the Regina Christmas Wish List, which lets recipients make a wish for what they would like under the tree. The organization has been fulfilling Christmas gift requests for over 15 years.

The Regina Christmas Wish List is facilitated by the Glen Elm Church of Christ. Jason Bandura explained how the process works.

"Interviews are conducted, stories are written, gift requests are made, and all that information finds its way to the website and at that point the public is directed to it and anyone who reads a story and is moved by it can pledge gifts and can purchase, wrap and label gifts and know that they will get into the right hands by Christmas morning,” he said.

Requests over the years have ranged from pairs of boots to bus passes. The Regina Christmas Wish List partners with community organizations like Family Service Regina which works with teenaged mothers.

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Sage Yathon, a young family support worker with Regina Family Service, said it feels special to be able to do something like this for them.

“I think it is something that they would not normally expect. Mainly our program focuses on meeting their basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, things like that so it is really nice to be able to partner with the Regina Christmas Wish List because we get to do sort of the fun and exciting and special parts of the year as well,” she said.

The stories can be read online with donation drop off taking place from Dec. 15 to Dec. 18.