‘ELVES AT PLAY ‘ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 AT WATERLOO TOWN SQUARE
StuffIn Stockings goal to make 1,500 kids happy this Christmas
StuffIn Stockings goal to make 1,500 kids happy this Christmas
By Carrie DebroneKitchener Citizen
Santa Claus has a new local elf.
Carolyn Parks’ wish to help make a needy young person’s Christmas a little happier has sparked a new local charity.
“I wanted to donate something at Christmas and I thought of stockings. I remembered how much I liked stockings as a kid. It was magical for me,” said Parks who came up with the idea last year.
In 2010, the St. Jacobs woman contacted participants in Leadership Waterloo Region about her idea and immediately got a response from about 20 people willing to help. Within a few days she received 45 stuffed stockings. As word spread throughout the region, Quarry Communications, who had relocated to St. Jacobs, stuffed and donated 100 stockings, something the company has committed to do again this year.
Last Christmas, Parks delivered almost 250 stockings to The Kitchener Early Years Centre, Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region, Saint Monica House, Mosaic Family Counselling, Anselma House, Argus Residence for Young People, and Mary’s Place.
Now in its second year, StuffIn Stockings is aiming to
collect at least 1,500 filled Christmas stockings that will be
donated to needy babies, children and teens in the community
through 12 local charities on December 19.
Since last year, four more charities are on board to receive StuffIn Stockings, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region, The Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, KW Counselling Services, Lutherwood, and Reception House Waterloo Region.
Now operated by a six-person committee, Parks said she wanted to take the charity to a new level in 2011.
“Last year I saw enough of a response that this year I wanted to make it a real initiative,” Parks said, taking last year’s informal operation to charity status, forming a working committee and officially naming it StuffIn Stockings…Fillin’ Hearts.
Committee members Margaret Urquhart, Tracy Suerich, Jennifer Crumb, Susan Broughton and Rennie Cockram began work on this year’s campaign last February. They established a website, created posters and flyers, established a Facebook and Twitter presence, lined up five stocking drop off points, found sponsors, and with the help of Mosaic Counselling and Family Services established a way to offer charitable tax receipts for corporate donations.
“They are such wonderful committee members,” said Parks.
“We are hoping that each year it will grow and grow so that no child is left out at Christmas,” Parks said.
Any size or style of stocking may be stuffed and any amount can be spent on items to fill it. Parks suggests most stockings could be stuffed for about $30.
“We want to allow people the freedom to stuff the stocking with whatever items they want to give,” Parks said, adding that the only restrictions are that the items must be unwrapped and food items must be commercially available and in their manufacturer/distributor’s wrapping.
Although stockings are needed for all youth (aged 0 – early 20s), they are particularly needed for teens.
Parks explained that this group tends to be overlooked because there are not as many items available as for children.
She suggests calling cards, Tim Horton’s gift cards, journals and practical items such as toothbrushes, hats, socks, mitts and scarves as good stocking stuffers for teens.
Anyone can donate a stocking – individuals, families, organizations or businesses. Cash donations are also accepted. Money will be used to purchase items to fill more stockings. All organizational cash donations are eligible for charitable tax receipts.
To further increase the campaign’s visibility, StuffIn Stockings will hold a family event ‘Elves at Play’ on Saturday, December 10 at Waterloo Town Square from 1 – 5pm. Stocking donations will be accepted throughout the day and elves will be busy stuffing stockings in the mall.
There will be a kids’ colouring corner, pictures with Santa and skating available.
“It’s a fun way to give and I think it reminds a lot of people of when they were young,” Parks said.
To make a donation or volunteer visit the StuffIn Stocking website at www.stuffinstockings.ca.
Carolyn Parks, founder of StuffIn Stockings (middle) was at Steve’s TV and Audio at Frederick Mall in Kitchener November 25 to promote the Christmas charity event, now in its second year. With her are Steve’s TV supervisors Ryan Leandres (left) and Dave Humphrey.
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