Volunteers from The Child Development Centre (CDC) of Prince George have been wrapping up surprises for under the Christmas tree at Pine Centre Mall for 20 years, but on Saturday they were the ones to be surprised.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada presented volunteers and organizers of the CDC Gift Wrap Booth with the agency's Community Service Award.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada local chapter president Lesley Girard said she nominated the CDC for the award because of all the hard work done by the agency that goes into organizing the annual fundraiser. The decision to present the award was made on Nov. 9 at a meeting in Toronto, but they kept it under wraps until Saturday.
"They could partner with any agency they chose, but the partnership [we have] has lasted 20 years," Girard said.
Girard said the money raised by the booth, where volunteers wrap Christmas gifts for donations, helps fund research and supports for people with cystic fibrosis - like her 12-year-old son, Keegan.
"Everybody wants a cure," she said. "Because of fundraisers like this, we can give him the best possible treatment, and a hope for the future."
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease that effects Canadian children and young adults, according to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The disease effects multiple systems in the body, especially the lungs and digestive system.
Keegan spends three hours a day taking physiotherapy for his breathing and must take 30 to 35 pills per day.
"He has to go to B.C. Children's Hospital every 12 weeks," Girard said. "But he still has time to downhill ski, and still has time to ride his bike."
CDC staff member Kim Aydon, who helps organize the annual event, said volunteers donate hundreds of hours to keep the booth open 10-and-half-hours every day from Dec. 7 to Dec. 24.
Volunteers wrap "well over a thousand" gifts annually and typically raise between $12,000 and $15,000 per year, she added. Pine Centre Mall donates use of the space.
"We do it because it's fun and we love it," Aydon said.
The booth will be open at Pine Centre Mall today from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
