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With giving season just around the corner, the Kaleo Collective has even more little Santas stepping up to show single moms how much they care.
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The Little Santas program expects 500 children to sign up and give their moms a gift in December, more than double last year, said Layna Haley, founder of the support group for single mothers Kaleo Collective.
“We are very proud to be able to help so many,” Haley said. “We love that demand is increasing. We serve the entire Edmonton area. We have moms who will come from as far away as Lacombe or Westlock for this. “
Haley founded Little Santas last year to give children of single mothers the opportunity to give their mothers a gift during the holidays.
“Often the relationships are tense or some mothers are widowed. We decided that it would be a lot of fun to give these children a gift that they could give to their moms. All children want to make their mothers’ day, ”Haley said.
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Last year, more than $ 10,000 was received for gifts.
Children and their mothers can sign up for the program online, and Edmontons who want to help can donate $ 50, which goes toward a gift such as candles, clothing, or bath products.
On December 11, the children will go to a “Santa Claus Workshop” which will be housed in a tent at the Socrates restaurant in St. Albert, where they will be able to choose a gift for their mothers.
A team of volunteer “elves”, some dressed in green hats and aprons, will wrap the gifts on the spot for the children.
But Kaleo knows that Christmas gatherings with loved ones aren’t complete without quality time, and the kids will also get a packaged meal of lasagna and fresh salad, made in Socrates, and a gingerbread house to take home and enjoy. enjoy with their mothers.
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Haley hopes this year enough Edmontons will donate so that all the kids on the waiting list can help give their moms a gift and have a meaningful meal together.
“Seeing that sparkle in his eyes makes all of this worthwhile. They take great pride in giving these gifts. Honoring their moms is very important to children. It’s really heartwarming to see a community come together at Christmas, ”he said.
Individuals can donate to the program or register to be one or more Little Santas on the Kaleo website at https://kaleocollective.ca/events/little-santas/. Donors will receive tax receipts.
Reference-edmontonjournal.com