December to Remember returns to Waterloo
Santa greeted children and their families Saturday for the 15th annual December to Remember event hosted by KidsAbility in Waterloo.
Seventy-five families were invited to drive up to the centre and receive not only a bag of toys for the young ones, but also a package for the parents.
Members from the Waterloo Regional Police Service and the Waterloo Fire Department were also present to welcome the cars.
All gifts given to the families were donated by members of the community.
“For some children, it’s their only opportunity to have a visit with Santa and for some children, it’s a bit scary to meet him for the first time so it’s a bit of a safer way to do it,” said Linda Kenny, CEO of KidsAbility.
Families were also given a gift card to visit the Gift of Lights display at Bingemans.
This was the third consecutive year that the event was done in a drive-thru format due to COVID-19.
“When we started planning it in the late summer, we still weren’t really sure what the status was going to be,” said Kenny. “We decided that we were going to do one more year of the drive-by, but hopefully next year we can invite families back into our centre.“
With many families feeling the financial pinch over the holidays, this was an opportunity for children to receive a special toy from Saint Nick.
“For some families that we identified as really struggling, we also have been able to put some grocery gift cards into their bag as well. It has been a very difficult year for many families, so our social work team is really great at being able to identify some of those families who may just need a little extra help,” Kenny said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.