As decorative gourds are relegated to boxes in the attic, Jack-o-lanterns are tossed to the side of the curb, and pumpkin spice flavoured, well, everything, is phased out in favor of peppermint and gingerbread, we are looking to the next holiday. Walk down Saint Catherine’s and you’re already in a winter wonderland – mannequins frolic amongst over-sized ornaments in window displays, coffee and tea shops layout their seasonal gift boxes, and Christmas music plays throughout all major department stores. The holidays aren’t right around the corner, they’re here.
At LinkNow Media, we too are hopping on the Christmas bandwagon – but not in any commercial sense. Every holiday season, we team up with Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, a non-profit organization in Montreal that helps children who are victims of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. While many of these children have found loving foster parents, there are many more who still need help, especially around the holidays. That’s why instead of doing the traditional secret Santa gift exchange at our office, we make sure these kids have something to open on Christmas day.
The Batshaw Youth and Family Centres asks their kids to write letters to Santa, telling him what they want for Christmas. These letters are then handed over to us, and we go out and do our best to make their wishes come true. We’ve decided to call this project The New Secret Santa.
The reasoning behind the name is simple! To a kid, Santa Clause represents everything that is good – he is a North American ambassador, an emblem and powerful representative of love and kindness. We thought it was suiting to call this fundraiser The New Secret Santa, because everyone has that love and kindness within their heart. Santa is not a figment of our imagination or a creation, he lives inside all of us!
Become Part of The New Secret Santa Project
Last year, we donated more than 250 gifts and raised more than $10,000. While these numbers are nothing to sneeze at, there were still many children who received nothing on Christmas day.
This year, we’re looking to raise $25,000. This figure ensures that every single child in the system has a present under the tree. We’re not going to be able to do this on our own, which is why we are asking for your help.
Members of our staff have volunteered to help raise awareness about this worthy cause. If you want to help The New Secret Santa Project gain momentum, you can head to this website. There, you will find more information about the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, the cause, and our goal. Every dollar goes towards a child in need.
Help Us Reach Our Goal
Please help spread the word about The New Secret Santa Project by sharing this post on your social media pages or with your staff. Feel free to contact LinkNow Media directly with any questions.
We’ll be posting every week on here to keep you up-to-date on the progress we’ve made! Join us in playing Santa this year, and spread the love during this season of giving!