** It's time for Holiday Hampers! **

  Charles Dickens Elementary School & Charles Dickens Annex

Holiday Hampers 2022

In the spirit of the season, the Charles Dickens PAC is asking for your support in helping to create holiday hampers for the families and individuals living in our community who could use a boost at this time of year.

Possibly more so than in years past, this year’s hampers will make a huge difference in the lives of those receiving them. The pandemic may be on its way into our collective rearview mirror, but the economic realities it has left behind are hitting those most vulnerable, hard. The last few years have been like a 1-2 punch and full recovery is still a little further down the road. Until we get there, it’s on all of us to lift our community up and ensure nobody is left behind.

Once again this year, we’re working to support local families, youth and seniors, by partnering with Charles Dickens Elementary & Annex, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House and Aunt Leah’s Place to provide gift card hampers.

There are two ways you can support our Holiday Hamper program:

1. Donate gift cards! Visit your local grocer or retailer and purchase gift card(s) and then send the card(s) to school with your kid(s). Classroom teachers will collect the gift cards on our behalf. We’ve been hearing from our partners that the gift cards that provide recipients with the most flexibility are ideal. Gift card ideas include:

• Grocery cards - Save On Foods, Buy Low, Safeway, Superstore, Walmart, Nesters or other local grocers

• Clothing gift cards - Old Navy, Gap, Walmart, Joe Fresh, Carters, Mark’s Work Warehouse, Sport Chek, etc.

• Flexible gift cards for retailers with a variety of merchandise choices: Amazon, Indigo, Toys R Us, Walmart, Best Buy, The Bay, Walmart, Sephora, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, etc.

2. Donate cash through your SchoolCashOnline.com account: 

• The link above is a direct link to the Charles Dickens PAC donation page. If you sign into your schoolcashonline account, once you’ve selected the “Make A Donation” option, be sure to select E-Charles Dickens PAC as your Fund Destination (this works for gifts from both Dickens Main and the Annex).

• When you make your gift, please let us know that it is for the Holiday Hampers by making a note in the Message box. Gifts of $10 or more are eligible for charitable receipts, which are issued automatically by the VSB.

This year’s hampers will be distributed beginning the week of December 5, so please be sure to drop off your donations by Friday, December 2, 2022. 

If you have any questions, please email us at charlesdickensholidayhampers@gmail.com

Thank you! Your support is vital and deeply appreciated!