The Child Development Centre’s Annual Christmas Wish Breakfast is ready to go and will be in a new location this year.
“What we’re really trying to do is make wishes and dreams come true for children who might not otherwise have a Christmas, that might not have gifts under the tree,” said Child Development Centre Operations Manager Vanessa Riplinger.
“This can be a really stressful, difficult time for families. Most of us, we’re able to provide gifts and Christmas for our families and some people aren’t.”
The Wish Breakfast is a combined effort between the Child Development Centre, Boston Pizza and the GOAT, who will be broadcasting live on location.
In exchange for a new, unwrapped toy, or a cash donation, people are invited for a half an hour buffet breakfast between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m.
“What happens is we take all the toys back to the Child Development Centre and people and organizations that work with children are called up, they come the next day, they collect a toy for a child on Christmas day,” said Riplinger.
The centre invites specific members from outlying communities, as well as local agencies to come pick up toys for the children in need.
At the breakfast, all toys and gifts for babies through to teenagers are appreciated, said Riplinger, adding that often boys and teenagers may be a little bit difficult to find gifts for.
However, the CDC supplements what is given with toys paid for by the cash donations.
“We want to make sure all kids are looked after,” said Riplinger.
“After this season that we’ve had and even the other things that have been happening in our community, like the mill fire, I think everybody’s felt it.
“We’ve had a really difficult 2017 up until now and for us, it’s about coming together. It’s about really making sure that families feel connected and that we feel connected.”
The Christmas Wish Breakfast will be the 12th such breakfast held by the CDC.
The event will run on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 6:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at Boston Pizza.
The buffet breakfast will be served in half-hour slots throughout the morning by cash donation or the donation of a new unwrapped gift for a child or teenager.
To reserve your spot, call the Child Development Centre front desk at 250-392-4481.
