The SOS Christmas program filled an unprecedented need in the community during the 2024 holiday season.
“We served more residents than we have in our 57-year history,” said Susanna Newton, SOS Executive Director. “We knew it would be a busy year given the need we’ve seen in the community.”
The SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program provides grocery store gift cards to District 69 families and individuals in need. Parents, caregivers and grandparents also get to shop for free in the SOS Toy Shop, ensuring local children and youth find something special under the Christmas tree.
The SOS Toy Shop is stocked with donations of new, unwrapped gifts, and SOS raises funds to purchase the grocery store gift cards. This year, the fundraising goal was $285,000, and SOS raised $285,607 thanks to the generous community.
"We are incredibly grateful for the tremendous support from our community this year," said Newton. "We recognize that it was a challenging year for many residents, but despite the difficulties, people stepped up to help."
In 2024, the SOS Christmas program assisted 1,001 households, which included 1,315 adults and 1,135 children and youth, an increase of over 16 per cent.
The program supported residents like Katy and her young family (her name has been changed to protect her identity), who accessed the program for the first time.
“SOS saved our Christmas this year,” she said. “Our income changed just before Christmas and disrupted our entire living situation. Without the help of SOS, our Christmas wouldn’t have happened.”
Another program participant recently left an abusive relationship with her young son. She is working through mental health challenges and has been unable to work, so she said the program was key in providing a joyful Christmas for her and her son.
A senior resident accessing the program said that affording rent and food has been particularly difficult this year. Accessing the SOS Christmas program enabled him to provide gifts for his grandchildren and he enjoyed a nice Christmas dinner.
Shauna* said the program saved her from feeling alone and overwhelmed during the holiday season (*a pseudonym).
“I feel better because of this program,” she said. “It does not discriminate against anyone. I hope I don’t have to be here next year, I’m working on that.”
Beyond Christmas, SOS will continue to support residents through the winter months. Newton said she’s hopeful that the Canada Revenue Agency’s extension of the donation deadline to February 28, 2025 for the 2024 tax year might motivate donors who have yet to contribute due to the postal strike.
For more information on SOS Caring for Community at Christmas, or any of SOS’ 25 programs, visit www.sosd69.com.
