‘It’s heartwarming to know other people care’
At the Santa Fund’s warehouse, volunteers shop for gifts to give
Born in Belgium to Congolese immigrant parents, Audrey Ngongo had very little when she came to Canada with her family in the 1990s.
Many times, she and her two siblings were on the receiving end of others’ generosity at Christmas time.
This fall, when she learned her employer, Under Armour Canada, was looking for volunteers to “shop” for children in need at the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund’s secret warehouse, she did not hesitate to put her name on the list.
“It’s heartwarming to know other people care about you and your family,” said Ngongo, 31, as she picked up her orders and filled up her cart with boxes of ageappropriate gifts purchased with the money donated to the Star charity.
“As kids, you always compare with other kids. Other kids always get something from their parents or family. You don’t want to feel left out. You want to feel equal and you are getting a gift as well. You don’t want kids to feel inferior for things like that.”
Hundreds of employees from various corporate businesses recruited staff to volunteer at the warehouse from the end of October until late November.
After that, the boxes will be delivered to local depots and dropped off at the children’s homes, warehouse co-ordinator Liz Krmelj said.
“We just can’t keep up with the demand. We have 10 days to deliver some 45,000 boxes to the local (distribution) depots. We would like to do 100,000 boxes, but it takes us four months just to do this,” Krmelj said. “These volunteers are godsends to us.”
Brittany Walker has volunteered to help other charity groups deliver Christmas gifts to underprivileged children along with her 7-year-old son, James, who often saves his toys and donates them to the less fortunate.
“I drop off gifts with my son. It’s just great to see the joy on these kids’ faces when they come to the door and see their presents,” said Walker, who works at Under Armour’s new store in Halton Hills.
“We have volunteered for Habitat Humanity and relief for Haiti. I just love this kind of stuff, when you can physically do something for other people.”
Brad Levick, who works on Under Armour’s marketing team, had such a great time “shopping” at the Santa Claus Fund warehouse last year that he decided to return.
On a recent volunteer day, Levick’s fitness watch clocked more than double the number of steps he usually walks per day, from 10,000 to 20,000.
“Your legs do get a bit sore at the end of the day. I’m a big fan of Christmas. It’s all about giving and making people happy,” said the Newmarket man, who packed hundreds of gift boxes during a six-hour shift.
Todd Taylor, an assistant store manager for the sportswear company, said it didn’t take much effort to recruit volunteers and that the whole experience is great for staff development.
“Everyone wants to be here. Christmas is about family. It’s about getting along with everybody,” said Taylor. “Knowing all these kids, who would otherwise not be getting anything for Christmas, will now get a present like everyone else makes you feel good.” If you have been touched by the Santa Claus Fund or have a story to tell, please email santaclausfund@thestar.ca.