Registration is now open for the Snowflake Station, and over 500 names are already on the list.
This is the 13th year for the What Kids Need Moncton program.
Founder Amanda Pooley says last year over 1200 gifts were handed out, “I wouldn’t be surprised if we were over 1300 this year.”
The Snowflake Station program started to ensure every child in the area has something under the tree for the holiday season.
“It seems like every year it gets a little harder for families to not only provide the necessities every day but to provide those extras like special holiday gifts. We just try to make sure that every child has at least a toy and a book they can put under the tree for their children,” Pooley says.
Those who are in need can fill out an application on the What Kids Need Moncton website, and it can be either picked up or delivered. Registration opened on November 12th. and it’ll be open for two to three weeks.
The organization is also in need of new or gently used toys, books and other donations. The organization also started something new last year to make it easier for the public to donate.
“We started an Amazon wishlist. What we do is scroll through all of the children that have registered and we look for the items that are popping up a lot. We put those items on our Amazon wishlist items within the price range of $25 to $30. There are also going to be some stocking stuffer options like colouring books and crayons and stuff that we can add for the little ones. So all a person has to do if they want to donate is go on to our Amazon wishlist, and see which items we’re looking for. They can order one and it will be shipped directly to us and we get it to a child that it matches with,” Pooley adds.
Donation drops off and pick-ups can be done at Jim’s Bike Shop on Halifax Street.
“For many, many years, we have struggled with getting enough items for teenagers, and over the past couple of years we have seen a spike in babies and we haven’t been able to get enough stuff for babies under two as well,” Pooley says.
