Every child deserves to open a gift on Christmas morning

“As a child, I benefited by getting these hampers and gifts.” 

Randi Schroeder says she makes it a point to always donate to toy drives as she looks to pay it forward, always remembering how special Christmas was for her, opening gifts that came in their hampers. 

Being raised by a single mom, Schroeder says there were years when there just wasn’t enough money for Christmas gifts. 

“We were lucky enough to receive these gifts and it made my Christmas special because I still had something to unwrap under the tree.” 

Schroeder says it was also exciting to return to school from the Christmas break and tell her friends about the gifts she received. 

"So, as I got older, I was able to give back and which makes me so happy.” 

One of the gifts she received from a Christmas hamper was a special doll that she had been wishing for, called Baby Alive. 

“When I see them on the shelf now, I do very much remember my Christmas back when I was younger, receiving a Baby Alive gift and that was, I think my biggest memories of receiving one of those.” 

Schroeder encourages people to give what they can to help make sure every child has a gift to open Christmas morning. She says nobody wants to think about a child having nothing special, and having to face their friends at school after the holidays and having to say they got nothing for Christmas. 

Canadian Tire in Steinbach is the place to bring your donation on Tuesday and Wednesday for Toys Days. 

-With files from Carly Koop.

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