About Us
OUR HISTORY
In November 1955, The Brandon Council of Women saw a need for a Central Christmas Cheer Registry. The aim was to prevent the duplication and see that families in need received assistance. They set up an office in the St. John Ambulance building. The Registry office was a clearing house for names only and they did not collect or distribute food or gifts. The first year, names of 180 families were distributed to churches and schools that were willing to pack and deliver parcels of Christmas Cheer. The Salvation Army and the Manitoba Telephone System helped out in the beginning and have continued their assistance to this day.
By the 70s, the Registry was packing and distributing hampers to residents in the City. In 2022, The Registry was involved with the distribution of approximately 1,100 hampers in Brandon and the Westman area. Of these hampers, 950 were packed and delivered from the Registry Office with the balance being adopted and filled by individuals and organizations in Brandon. 6 First Nation Communities also receive food for their Christmas feasts or food pantries.
Through the cooperation of many community organizations and individuals we continue to distribute hampers to families and individuals in need. Names of hamper applicants are submitted to the Registry. Those needing hampers are asked to apply through a social agency, school or church.
As per our mission statement, families with children are our main focus for hampers. Individuals requesting hampers will be considered in the order that the applications are received and dependant on available resources to provide. Not all applications may not receive hampers if the need is too great to accommodate or if community adoption requests cannot help us fill the need.
MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Chair - Vacant
Vice Chair - Myrna Lane
Secretary -Shannon Gadbois
Treasurer – Bob Walberg
Office Administrator– Joanne Vinthers
Media Relations Coordinator – Synthia Wright
Floor Supervisor – Linda Gillis
Volunteer Coordinators – Lori Ardron, Betty Schneider
Members at large -
Nick Vandale
Lynda Nay-Kamann
Marie Wotton
Joyce Shewan
Karen Maisonneuve
Shelly Rands
Kathy Flickweert
Trish Toth
Jim Saltez
Eileen Mosson
