Fernie Women's Resource Centre has officially kicked off their seventh annual Christmas gift drive.
The centre has put out a call for gifts and gift cards to be distributed to locals in need. Since 1979, the centre has been a safe haven for women and families fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault survivors, seniors and women with disabilities in the Elk Valley. Last year, its Christmas gift drive provided presents for 120 families.
The centre is accepting small new unwrapped gifts around the value of $25 for children and teenagers ages zero to 18, including toys, stocking stuffers, craft kits, pajamas, socks, underwear, mittens and scarves.
Gift cards to local stores and businesses like Grow Children's Boutique, Polar Peek Books and Treasures, Vogue Theatre, Coal Town Goods, Freyja Boutique, Canadian Tire and Walmart are on the list. Cards for local grocery stores and ski and snowboard stores will also be accepted, as well as Visa, Mastercard and Amazon gift cards.
The centre has requested cards in $25 denominations in order to make everything fair.
This year, the centre has partnered with local businesses for gift collection. Gifts can be dropped off at Polar Peek Books, Grow Children's Boutique and Big Bang Bagels, in addition to Fernie Women's Resource Centre.
Those who are unable to drop off a physical gift or card, can submit a donation online at www.ferniewomenscentre.com/donate/. The Centre will provide charitable tax receipts upon request.
Cards and gifts will need to be dropped off by the first week of December, as parents typically use them to purchase gifts for their children on Christmas Day. The deadline for drop-offs at local businesses is Dec. 1, but resource centre office manager Olivia Latta said the centre will continue to accept donations until the end of the first week of December.
