A beautifully wrapped gift is the icing on the cake for the perfect gift – it is both a pleasure to give and to receive. For those of us not very adept at wrapping, we have a super solution that is a true win-win! KCR Community Resources is thrilled to partner with Orchard Park Shopping Centre and non-profit organizations to bring back the Gift Wrapping for Good booth near Best Buy inside the Mall from now through to December 24th.
Simply bring your gifts to the volunteers at the booth and for a donation have them wrap and sizzle up the gifts for you. Participating organizations include Westside Health Network, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, Central Okanagan Hospice Association, ALERT (Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team), YMCA of Southern Interior, Metis Community Services Society, Ozanam Recovery House, Westbank Museum, Kelowna and District Genealogical Society, CRIS Adaptive Adventures, Therapeutic Lake Cruises Society, French Cultural Centre, Kelowna Women’s Shelter Thrift Store, Cool Arts Society, Festivals Kelowna, Okanagan Tree Fruit Project, Rotary Centre for the Arts, CNIB, Kelowna Japanese Language Society, Lake Country Health, Ballet Kelowna and Okanagan Irish Society. All donations will be pooled and shared equally among the 22 participating organizations to ensure everyone benefits equally from this opportunity.
Many thanks to the volunteers that are again going to be a part of achieving the mission of their organizations by raising important funds for programs and services that benefit the community. I went to visit the team from ALERT this Sunday and got to ask them about what made them volunteer for this opportunity.
“It’s all about the love of animals,” said Glenna, while continuing to make bows and to add greenery to her packages. “My own Christmas tree is at home, undecorated, but I want to be here to give back.”
“I have always loved wrapping and used to ask my mom to let me wrap all the presents,” added Cindal, while wrapping gifts for a young boy’s mom. “I love being creative and I love that I am able to help animals and this great organization.”
Wendy Williams, The Volunteer Centre Coordinator at KCR, who has organized the program sees the joy the program is bringing.
“The gift wrapping is definitely a fun creative adventure for the volunteers,” adds Wendy. “It’s very busy at times and it is a good way to bring a team together. There may even have been a little bit of a fun competition for the best wrapped gift.”
The program is also a great way for organizations to do outreach at this busy time of year. Jennifer from ALERT was able to share the impact of her organization as she managed the check-in process and accepted donations.
“The shoppers have been very generous,” said Jennifer. “It feels good to be a part of this.”
Huge THANK YOUS to Orchard Park and especially Pam Jacques, who is supporting the organizations with signage and promotions and for providing the gorgeous ribbons and wrapping materials that are the “icing” on the gorgeous gifts being shared this season.
