St. Patrick High School Students Help Launch the 9th Annual Christmas Wish Campaign
Joined by grade 12 drama students from St.Patrick High School, yesterday Dilico Anishinabek Family Care launched their 2017 Christmas Wish Campaign through which they are asking the community to fill 750 Christmas wish bags. This marks the 9th year Dilico is hosting the annual campaign in Thunder Bay and district, with hopes to ensure children wake up on Christmas morning with a gift and a smile. The students shared their Christmas wishes for children in Thunder Bay, as they performed “Do You Want to Build a Snowman,” from their upcoming production The Snow Queen. 
“Every snowflake is a wish. Help make a child’s wish come true this Christmas. A warm sweater, a new book, a special toy, a winter hat and mitts, help Dilico Anishinabek Family Care fill these bags for deserving boys and girls throughout the region,” says Darcia Borg, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care’s executive director. “The Dilico Christmas Wish Campaign helps make the holidays so much brighter for children and families who sometimes find the season to be a difficult time. As a community we can come together to make this campaign a success. Over the years 3,200 Christmas wish bags have been provided to children in need.”
Those who would like to participate in the campaign will be provided with a Christmas wish bag that they can pack with essential items, toys, books, clothing and learning tools for babies, children and youth, up to the age of 18. “The special thing about this Christmas campaign is that each bag is individualized. Each bag comes with a special child profile that gives details about the boy or girl who will receive the gift bag, such as their age and what they are interested in,” continues Borg.
St.Patrick High School Grade 12 drama students committed to not only fill bags, but also to encourage donations and audience members to fill a bag during their December 7th and 8th performances at the Selkirk Auditorium. “We represent the younger generation in the community and think it’s important for students to support other children and youth who might not be as fortunate during this time of year. The Dilico Christmas Wish Campaign is a fun way to give back and also really highlights the true meaning of Christmas,” says grade 12 drama student, Julia Lento. “My Christmas wish is that every child can experience the joys of being a child and not have to grow up too soon.”
To participate in the campaign and get your wish bag, visit the Dilico Christmas Wish Facebook page, or call the Elf Hotline at (807) 345-3763. You can also visit any of the following pick up and drop off locations: Firedog Communications, Dilico Heath Park Site, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care (Monday- Friday 9:00 am-4:00 pm), or Intercity Shopping Centre on Thursdays and Saturdays in front of American Eagle (for times see schedule). The deadline to register for a Christmas wish bag is December 10th with all bags needing to be filled and returned by Monday, December 11th.
Dilico offers a special meegwetch to GRIDLINK who proudly sponsored this year’s campaign by providing funding for the purchase of the Christmas wish bags.
