Driving force behind hamper drive

Volunteer delivery checkers perform a vital role at the Christmas Cheer Board.

With roughly 19,000 hampers needed to be delivered this holiday season, it’s up to the checkers to get the drivers organized and out on their routes.

Sometimes, volunteers like Garry Fidler step up and take on tasks that fall outside their job descriptions.

“A few years ago, there was a lady who came in to pick up their hamper. They gave her a hamper and she had three kids so there were three or four boxes. She was taking the bus so there was no chance of getting this hamper home,” Fidler said.

“So, she pulled out all these grocery bags and started putting all these cans and stuff in bags and she was going to take it on the bus. But the bus stop wasn’t even close, so I thought ‘How is she even going to get this home?’ So I asked the co-ordinator at the time if I could give her a ride home. We packed up all her stuff and I gave her a ride home.”

Fidler started helping the cheer board six years ago after retiring from a job in wholesale building materials. From collecting donations, filling the boxes, to delivering them, Fidler has contributed in many ways over the years and has learned there’s a lot that goes into the process the average person does not know.

“Sorting tea bags is something that you would never even think about. I had to ask, ‘Why am I sorting tea bags?’ It’s one of those things that you don’t even realize is a simple thing that people appreciate,” said Fidler.

“So, the Christmas Cheer Board would get donated, say 10,0000 tea bags, and we’d sit at a table and open the larger boxes of tea bags and separate them into little packages of 10 and then those bags of 10 would get put into a hamper. That was a full-time job for a couple of weeks. It’s these little things that you’d never expect. There’s so much going on, it’s crazy.”

Fidler, and fellow delivery checker Karen Veitch have their hands full this year. With the cost of living going up, more Winnipeggers need assistance this year. The cheer board estimates it will deliver 2,000 more hampers than they did in 2021.

More hampers means more drivers are needed.

“The army came in one day and delivered a bunch, which was very helpful. There’s a lot of great people and a lot of people who come year after year. There are some people who bring their grandchildren. There are some people who hear it on the radio that we’re desperately in need of drivers, and they show up. I even had a couple of ladies come in from Portage la Prairie to deliver hampers in Winnipeg. It’s really interesting the people you meet,” said Veitch.

Similar to Fidler, Veitch started with the cheer board four years ago after retiring from a career in accounting. For Veitch, the decision to give back is an easy one.

“Christmas Cheer Board was one of the places I always wanted to volunteer at because I think all kids deserve a Christmas and some kids don’t get one,” said Veitch.

“You never know when maybe some day we might need help or someone in our family might need help.”

To help deliver Christmas hampers, you do not need to register as a volunteer. Drop by 100-1821 Wellington Ave. (at Berry) between now and Dec. 23 with a vehicle and your licence. Delivery checkers such as Fidler and Veitch can set you up on a route in your area. Warehouse hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

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Twitter: @TaylorAllen31