Page 17 - etc&tal Dec/Xmas 2020 edition

CoVeR
17
By Isa melo - editor-in-Chief

GivinG is

blooMinG love

for otHers

e are almost at Christmas,
a time that generates many
Wexpectations. For some, a sad
celebration, but for most, Christmas has
always been a time of celebration, togetherness,
solidarity, and love. however, it revealed another
side of people: consumerism.
So it is always good to remember that the true
meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. We
must not let the gift boxes and the full tables get away from
what that date represents and why we celebrate it with such
enthusiasm.

this year the celebrations will be different because of the coronavirus, but
that does not mean that it cannot be unique and special, regardless of how it
happens. So, let’s remember to always share positive feelings in difficult times like
this.
the etc&tal celebrates ten years of a beautiful campaign of love for others. this year it faced the
pandemic challenge but managed to do it. our toy drive campaign is donated to Citykidz, an nGo that
takes care of 4,000 children who live together with their families in a precarious situation in hamilton. In the tenth
year of our campaign, we spoke with Sarah hannaford, CityKidz engagement and event specialist. Sarah told
us a little about this year’s campaign and how much it was affected by the pandemic.

Due to Covid-19, we had to make some adjustments here at CityKidz and
in our Gift of Christmas campaign. as hamilton moved into the Red-Control
Zone, we had to close our offices to the public. Fortunately, we were able
to continue to accept toy donations through our contactless curb-side drop-off
appointment system, said Sarah.

Sarah also told us that, “although we saw a small reduction this year in the number of
toys, we still receive generous donations online. We are so thankful to our community for
continuing to think about our kids at this time of year. Despite all the changes, we will still be
able to give gifts to each one of them and, more importantly, give hope this Christmas ”.
I would like to give a special thanks to all the partners who are with us in this year’s campaign and to
everyone who donated money to buy toys. thanks to them, many children cared for by Citykidz will have a
happier Christmas. I hope that next year the pandemic will be just a sad past, and Santa Claus and his helpers can be
present. God bless them! merry Christmas!