It’s the time of year when Parksville Qualicum Beach businesses are adorning their storefronts with festive decorations, but one decoration stands out among the rest. It’s a gold or silver circular ornament featuring an angel carrying a heart— the SOS Angel Tree ornament.
“The SOS Angel Tree program began in 2003 to help stock the SOS Toy Shop with popular gifts that are at the top of children’s wish lists. The Angels, displayed in businesses around Parksville and Qualicum Beach, have a description of a gift for a specific age group, ensuring each age range has a good selection,” said Susanna Newton, executive director at SOS. “It’s a heartwarming tradition that truly shows the power of community.”
Customers choose an Angel, purchase the gift listed on the back, and bring the gift back to the business or to the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville to help stock the SOS Toy Shop. The Toy Shop is part of the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program, which helps low-income families and grandparents provide their children with a special gift during the holiday season.
This year, more than 40 businesses are participating in the Angel Tree program. Among these businesses, local favourites like Qualicum Pharmasave, Sea & Summit Bookshop, and The Qualicum Toy Shop are part of the holiday tradition.
Shannon Roberts, Pharmasave’s front store supervisor, has worked there for over 20 years and looks forward to decorating their Angel Tree every year, which is currently on display at the front of Pharmasave Qualicum Beach.
“Customers appreciate that local stores are involved in the community and see the SOS Angel Tree program as an opportunity to give back to the community while supporting local businesses,” said Roberts.
Darrin Andrews, Pharmasave’s front store manager, describes the Angel Tree program as a personal experience. “You’re buying for somebody rather than throwing money in a barrel,” said Andrews. “It’s a nice way to connect with the community.”
Sea & Summit Bookshop has participated in the Angel Tree program since Kirstie Lauer took ownership of the store four years ago and displays the ornaments in a basket by the front till.
“I have customers come in every year looking to offer their support for this program, and they are particularly excited to offer books to local youth,” Lauer said. “It is always heartwarming to see the joy books bring to kids, and how little gestures of support can lead to large amounts of confidence and love long-term.”
The Qualicum Toy Shop’s owner Shelley Ross said she can’t recall a time when the Angel Tree program wasn’t part of their shop’s Christmas tradition. “We always have the ornaments right up at our front counter! We have many people waiting patiently every year to donate.”
Ross’s favourite part of the program is “when parents bring their kids year-after-year to pick out a present to donate — I think it’s a special tradition for many families.”
Locate an SOS Angel Tree participating business and make wishes come true for local children and youth. Bring your new, unwrapped gift, with the Angel Tree ornament attached, to the SOS Community Services Centre at 245 Hirst Ave. W., Parksville, and help stock the SOS Toy Shop!
