Gifts that Give Hope encourages selfless holiday giving

CRANBROOK – With the gift-giving season fast approaching, the perfect present will no doubt be on many people’s mind. This year, think outside the gift-wrapped box by giving your family, friends, and colleagues, a donation in their name to a local community organization.

The Cranbrook and District Community Foundation (CDCF) has partnered with Children First to bring the unique initiative, called Gifts That Give Hope, not only to Cranbrook and area, but Canada, for the first time. Online shopping begins November 3.

“Gifts That Give Hope brings communities together for a positive, non-commercial, sustainable, and selfless purpose,” says Riley Wilcox, executive director of the CDCF. “I think now more than ever parents, families and friends are avoiding packaged, often stressful, commercial holiday gifts in favour of giving something that really makes an impact and embodies the true spirit of generosity.”

From November 3 through December 31, Cranbrook residents can go to the Gifts That Give Hope website to make a donation to a local cause of their choice in honour of a friend or loved one. More than a dozen local charities have been brought together for the event. To learn more or gift a donation, visit www.Giftsthatgivehope.org and look for the “Our Fairs” link on the top of the home page screen.

For those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, there will be a Gifts that Give Hope Fair November 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Western Financial Place. There, shoppers can meet and learn about local participating non-profit organizations, and make a confidential donation at a convenient central checkout to a cause of their choice in the name of a friend or loved one.

The Gifts that Give Hope Fair is fun for the entire family, and features numerous free activities and entertainment, including a swim from 12-2 p.m., an all-day toddler play zone and kids craft table, a skate with Santa and much more. There is no cost for admission to the fair, or any of its related activities.

“The Gifts that Give Hope Fair is a fun way to bypass the annual stress of holiday shopping and accumulation of ‘stuff’ while honouring friends and relatives with donations to causes that fit their values,” Patricia Whalen, Children First Manager. “What’s more, the Fair provides critical support for a diverse collection of community organizations whose work has local and regional reach.”

For more information or to volunteer email [email protected].