Giving to others
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A local group of adults with intellectual disabilities is forgoing a long held Christmas tradition this year.
The Dundas Learning Centre runs a day program for people with special needs. For the past two decades, these clients have had a secret santa gift exchange and brought in presents for one another. But not this year. This year everyone will be giving a gift, but not getting one in return. Each client is donating a toy for a child in need.
Director of the centre, Anne Pearson, says the response so far has been overwhelming, “To be given that opportunity, they take it with both hands. Like, that’s something I can do.” Already, a mountain of toys has been collected. Most clients have gone with their parents to pick out something special. Pearson says it has taught them the value of supporting others by making a small sacrifice themselves.
When asked whether she’ll miss receiving a gift herself, Breanne George, a client at the centre thought for a moment then said, “not exactly, no.”
Next week, at their annual holiday party, Santa Claus will come collect the toys and bring them to the CHCH studio to donate to our CHCH Christmas Toy Drive.
