Emergency Wellness Centre welcomes Christmas donations for kids

Saskatoon’s Emergency Wellness Centre has issued a call for donations to help make the holidays special for the children staying there.

(Lara Fominoff 650/CKOM)

It’s not just adults who need help finding a home or recovering from addiction. There are a number of children staying at the centre, along with one or more of their parents or guardians. According to Mark Arcand, tribal chief with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, there will be at least seven families with a total of 21 children staying at the 106-bed centre in Saskatoon’s Fairhaven neighbourhood over the holidays.

The youngest is a two-month-old baby, he said, while the oldest is 16.

“We’re just trying to support families as much as we can,” said Arcand. “They’re not in their own home. They’re not with their families. They’re inside of an emergency wellness centre.”

Arcand said he and the staff want to make the wellness centre as safe and as caring as possible for everyone over the holidays, and he asked the community to pitch in by donating toys or presents.

The toys can be new or gently used, and he’s asking for the presents to be wrapped and tagged with an appropriate age and gender. Items like family board games are especially welcome, Arcand said.

“I’m really proud of Saskatoon stepping up to support initiatives like this, because it shows what our city is about,” said Arcand.

Stocking stuffers and Christmas candy or other goodies can also be donated, he said, along with basic necessities like socks, warm winter clothing and hygiene products.

There’s no deadline for donations, he said, and items can be dropped off at 415 Fairmont Dr.