Salvation Army in Moose Jaw Lieutenants Lester and Almeta Ward want the generous donators in the community to know that their support will provide a happy Christmas to around 300 children in need.
The Salvation Army (SA) church at 2 Wintergreen Drive off Thatcher Drive has become a temporary distribution depot for families in need. The Wards say that its only possible because of the help of a charitable community.
“We just wish that everyone who has donated could see what their donations have accomplished,” said Almeta Ward. “If they could just walk through here after we’ve set it all up, I think they’d be very happy to know what a difference they’ve made.”
Thousands of donated toys, games, warm clothing, and stuffed animals have been organized for a store-like feel. Parents will arrive in intervals to give them privacy and confidentiality. Volunteers then guide them through the store — where everything is free.
For safety reasons, only the volunteers will handle the chosen items.
“Then it all depends on the age of the children,” Ward said. She moved from table to table explaining some of the process. “These are for the older kids, that’s the girls, that’s the boys. This table is for kids up to around age four. They get to choose about three items per child, so socks, mittens, scarves, and then they get to pick a stuffy. … And then they go into the toy room, and each family gets a board game, for example.”
Ward said that for the third year the SA is benefitting from the sponsorship of the Calendar Club in the Town n’ Country Mall.
“Just last Saturday alone, we received 75 bears,” she added. The SA also acts as a distribution point in Moose Jaw, providing stuffed animals — or anything else that is needed — to organizations such as Joe’s Place and Transition House.
Other organizations that donate include the Moose Jaw Warriors, whose Teddy Bear & Toque Toss on Dec. 9 provided another large number of stuffies and warm clothing, and local schools like Sunningdale.
“Absolutely none of this, or anything else we provide through the year, like our brown bag lunches, none of it could be done without the generosity of local people,” Lester Ward said. “And all the money we raise stays here and stays local.”
Families were selected over a three-week period. Nominations came from individuals, community-based organizations (CBOs), and the Salvation Army’s own lists.
Parents come in without their children, Lester explained, both to keep kids from getting overwhelmed and so that parents can present gifts on their own terms.
“I always say, ‘it’s because its Santa’s toy shop and the elves are busy at work.’” Lester said. “So, it’s the mum or dad or caregiver, without the children, and that allows them the opportunity to do what they need to do. And then on Christmas morning, you know, ‘Santa’s been here!’”
Ward noted that people coming in for help for the first time often feel guilty or ashamed. The past couple of years have seen a tragic spike in those numbers.
“People often say to me, ‘I never thought I would have to ask for help like this,’” Almeta said. “And I tell them, ‘There’s no reason to feel that way. It’s ok, everyone needs help sometimes.’”
Anything they have left over will go to the SA warehouse for use throughout the year. A fire, for example, Lester Ward said, might leave a family with nothing out of nowhere.
“So, after a traumatic event like that, sometimes it’s important for children to have even just a stuffed animal. It gives them something to hold onto while the family rebuilds.”
Community connections are more important than ever, Almeta Ward said. The Wards agree that having open communication with CBOs like Square One Community, Inc., John Howard Society, and Joe’s Place, with emergency services like EMS and Moose Jaw Police, is important for help to get to those who need it.
“That’s what we’re here for, is to assist and help people,” Lester said. “Being able to store (toys, games, furniture, clothing), if we have any to store, it allows to provide something during a traumatic incident … it also lifts them up a little bit, to know that they’re cared for, that there’s hope, and that there’s love.”
“We’re all in it together, right?” Almeta added. “It shouldn’t be this group and this group and that group, we should all come together and help throughout the community, whatever that need is.”
