How to become a Christmas Elf to help families in Okanagan and Shuswap

Volunteer Christmas elves across the Okanagan are working to provide for families and individuals who need a little extra help getting supper on the table and presents under the tree.

Project Christmas Elf started in 2019 and continues to expand to provide a growing need for help every year. This year the project expanded to include more regions between Peachland and Chase, the Adams Lake Area, and from Tappen to Cherryville.

Andrea Campbell, based in Grindrod, is a lead elf this year and has been volunteering with Project Christmas Elf since 2019.

“We (elves) are based all over the Okanagan, we have an elf in almost every community we serve.”

Due to inflation, summer wildfires and drought, there's a greater need for sponsors and donations to support families over the holidays.

“We just believe that no one’s tree should be empty and a person shouldn’t have to choose between a roof, dinner and presents under the tree,” Campbell said. “Fulfilling some of those needs, wants and wishes is what we’re doing.”

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Receiving families fill out of those needs, wants and wishes. Needs could be things like fuel and groceries, and wants could be items like blankets and socks, while wishes are gifts such as building blocks for a child. Sponsors fill the list out as best they can.

“We give sponsors reign to support who they want, be it single moms or seniors, and in what communities they are interested in supporting,” Campbell said. “We’ve had a number of corporate and business sponsors step up, and we’re seeing groups of people coming together to support a family.”

Last year, the project supported roughly 100 families and this year that number has doubled. Campbell has matched 121 families with sponsors and has lots left in need.

“New people are applying from all walks of life, there is no set type of person or scenario,” she said. “Emails are flooding in, we really need more sponsors.”

This year the project received a grant allowing them to work with a website designer out of Peachland to create intake forms that helps match sponsors and families more closely.

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Donations are also accepted, along with gift cards for grocery stores. The cut off for families applying for support is, Nov. 17, but Campbell said that's not written in stone and “will keep matching people until she can’t anymore.”

Those families who don’t make the list in time will be connected to the Village App, a community building platform where people can ask for what they need or offer what they have.

“It’s meant to share items or skills, without judgement, because everyone deserves a supportive network they can call on.”

Campbell said the elves are working around the clock.

“This is a grassroots project of community helping community, everyone deserves a Christmas.”

Go here to find out more about Project Christmas Elf. 

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