This year, more than 300 stockings were filled for children in need, making Christmas 2017 the Muskoka Red Sock Initiative’s most successful year yet.
On December 15, families from all over Muskoka gathered at Faith Baptist Church in Huntsville to fill stockings, hoping to brighten the days of children who don’t normally receive gifts around the holidays.
“Our vision is to strengthen families towards a transformed community,” said Bill Anderson, Children’s Education Director at Faith Baptist Church. “Aligning with The Table Food Bank to do this has helped us focus on families who might benefit the most from getting a Red Sock for their children.”
Small, stocking-sized gifts are purchased such as toothpaste, books, various clothing items, hats, mitts, candy and other treats for kids to enjoy during the holiday season. By including both necessities for children as well as treats, the stockings provide comfort and support during winter but also treats that they can enjoy on Christmas day. It is particularly important that hats and mitts are included as some families in Muskoka cannot afford them for their kids.
“This initiative has been running for three years now and donations grow every year,” said Anderson.
When families come to fill a stocking at Faith Baptist, they are matched with the age and gender of a child who has registered with The Table. They take home an empty stocking and over the course of a couple weeks fill it with gifts. When each filled stocking is returned to the church, the volunteers at Faith Baptist review the items and wrap them. They are then delivered to The Table as well as to other families around Muskoka.
This year’s stockings have been delivered to The Table and are ready to be given out to children in time for Christmas day.
Thank you to everyone who donated for brightening the days of children this Christmas.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free newsletter here.
Join the discussion: