Generous Community Elves Support BBBS Oxford Holiday Gift Bags
Submitted by: Community Elf
One December night in 2024 an Ingersoll elf thought about all the wonderful emotions that the children in The Big Sisters and Big Brothers should feel and experience at Christmas. This elf was a daydreamer and loved dreaming of bringing a little more joy into the lives of those children and their caregivers. That’s it…she knew that “joy” was one of her favourite emotions to share. However, she thought “what if I combine a little joy” with creating a little “magic.” She fell in love with the idea of creating some “Christmas Magic” and brainstormed the ways that the her fellow community elves could be involved. Christmas 2024 was “magical” and 30 community gift bags were full of chocolate, candy, teddy dears, crafts and an ornament. “Christmas 2024 was full of joy and magic”. This Elf loves being anonymous as “magic” is best created and shared when all elves can do a small little piece of the task. And this elf enjoyed the task of bringing other elf community members together. But, what warmed my heart the most, was the gratitude that the families and children had for the extra joy under their tree. And now, time to plan for 100 community gift bags to be donated for Christmas 2025. That’s right…more children and caregivers will receive “magic”.
As I write this magical story, Christmas 2025 came and went. And this elf wants to proudly share that Elves from the North, South, East and West came together to raise $210 that purchased over 60 Christmas craft kits. The elves at the Ingersoll 50+ Center/Services Centre donated gift bags, toques, ornaments, stockings and Christmas decorations. The elves in Palmerston donated gift bags and the elves from the Kitchener Rangers donated over 100 teddy bears from their annual Teddy Bear Toss OHL game. The D.O.T. elves in Ingersoll donated gift bags. Over 270 gift bags were collected in the end. Cozy slippers and angel keychains were also in the mix. The elves at the Ingersoll Shopper’s Drug Mart donated over 440 Candy Canes. And, this elf loved collecting her Shoppers Optimum Points and redeeming $500 towards purchasing candy and chocolate. The carts were overflowing with goodies, with over 160 packages of candy and chocolate were bought.
And now, it’s the end of December and I must tell you how overjoyed this elf is to have more of the ‘Elf Community’ involved to bring more “magic” into the lives of the children and their caregivers. I wonder what “magic” the elves who are reading this article are feeling? Fingers crossed that perhaps a few more elves would like to donate towards making more “magic” for Christmas 2026. I feel that there are many elves who are reading about my elf journey and wondering if they could make a difference. I’m here to reassure you that, you can make a difference. You can even make a difference by donating a couple boxes of markers, a couple of new toys, or maybe even making crochet mittens. Everything helps. Even packaged Christmas snacks and goodies would help. Creating “Christmas Magic” a little more joyous for those who would appreciate it the most and involves giving from your heart. Your heart feels warmer. Christmas feels a little more kinder and joyful.
At this time, this elf would like to say “thank you” to all community elves who’ve helped make this world a little more magical. And, an eager “thank you in advance” to those elves who’s hearts have warmed and would like to make a donation to “Christmas Magic 2026”.
Be the reason, someone believes in the goodness of Elves.
