January 8, 2019
More than 100 volunteers wrapped gifts and hung coats at St. Vital Centre over the holiday season, raising over $20,000 for St.Amant Foundation.
“It’s amazing to see how many people want to participate. A lot of companies and people reached out to us after the schedule was full,” said Chantal Champagne, Partnership and Events Coordinator for St.Amant Foundation.
Volunteers worked in shifts from day to night beginning December 1st until the shopping centre closed on Christmas Eve. The spirit of giving to the foundation was alive all month.
“Someone came by and dropped off $100 without even getting their gift wrapped or anything. It happens all the time! People give us much more than they need to,” said Chantal.
This was the ninth year in a row for the gift wrap and coat check and the local business community gave, and then gave some more.
As sponsor, St. Vital Centre provided the large store location and donated wrapping paper, boxes and bows. Corpell’s Water set up a water cooler for the volunteers and Rogers Red Wireless donated wi-fi service, which allowed credit card payments to be processed for the first time this year. Mayer’s Packaging provided a discount on gift wrap and bows and at the last minute when wrapping paper was running out, and London Drugs came to the rescue with a gift card.
Bold Commerce, The Answer Company, Curtis Carpets, and Payworks and others sent out teams of volunteers and St.Amant staff also gave their time. One of many returning volunteers was longtime supporter Rochelle Squires, MLA for Riel.
All proceeds from the annual initiative will be added to the foundation’s annual operating fund. Manitobans have raised over $189,000. And that’s a wrap, until next year!