The city's first Christmas Wish Breakfast was everything organizer Val Marsh could have hoped for.
The breakfast was held on Dec. 11 at the Kin Centre with the help of volunteers and local sponsors who worked together to generate funds and donations for stuffing some empty stockings at Christmastime.
"Thank you to all our supporters with our inaugural Christmas Wish Breakfast," said Marsh, chair of the committee. Marsh spotted it done to great success in Vancouver and knew it could be replicated here.
"We hosted over 400 guests that came to support the toy drive and received almost 1,000 gifts to distribute to St. Vincent de Paul, the Child Development Centre, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, and UHNBC's Children's Pediatric Ward," Marsh explained. "Thank you to Eurest Foods for an amazing breakfast, Judy Russell Presents for organizing the entertainment and to all the first responders for the incredible support and representation."
The first responders volunteered to help collect the donated toys at the event.
The breakfast also included some time for kids to meet with Santa, enjoy a hot breaky and thrill at the appearances by the Spruce Kings and Cariboo Cougars hockey teams.
Judy Russell Presents provided carolers and dancers for the event's entertainment.
Marsh, who used to be a single mom, wanted to fill a gap she knows from experience is a reality for many local families.
"So I remember those years and I was never one to ask for help. I always just did what I could and tried to do the best for my kids and I know there's a lot of people out there that don't have the capacity, the mental wellness or the family support, so I feel it's just detrimental for the kids' health and well being. I want everybody to get something at Christmas," said Marsh.
Based on the strong reaction this first year, "we'll be doing this again," she said.
