It’s a heart-warming Christmas tradition.

The Morden Christmas Cheer Board is busy planning and preparing for Christmas Cheer Week which will be held from December 13th – 16th.

Jessica Enns is on the Morden Cheer Board and says it’s really important to help those families and individuals from the community of Morden & area that are in need as Christmas season approaches.

“COVID has definitely affected people’s jobs and what Christmas looks like this year. We want people’s Christmases to be great. Christmas is very important to a lot of people and to me. We want to keep that Christmas spirit going and know that we’re working hard behind the scenes to try and make that happen.”

The Morden Christmas Cheer Board delivered almost 250 hampers last December and they’re anticipating a higher number of applications this year.

The application deadline is December 8th and Enns notes that because of COVID-19 hampers will look a bit different this Christmas season.

“We’re not collecting non-perishables this year due to restrictions. Usually our hampers would include non-perishables but we’re focusing on gift cards and toys just for proper social distancing as our board members will be delivering the gifts.”

Also because of COVID-19 Morden Christmas Cheer will not require the help of volunteers this year. Hampers have been redesigned to allow board members to handle the workload in a safe and covid friendly manner.

Enns says it’s exciting that so many people in the area still wanted to lend a hand.

“They want to help out so much. I told them about the Toy Drive which they’re excited about. If people can donate to the site, that’s the best way this year. Even the coming years, if that could continue, that would help us out tons.”

Enns pointed out that the Cheer Board's Toy Drive is doing great. People wanting to contribute can drop off toys at the Dairy Queen in Morden until December 9th.

Families or individuals can apply for hampers by going to the Cheer Board’s website mordenchristmascheer.com. They can also call 204-823-4444. Application drop off for families who like to print their form is at the entrance of the Friendship Centre on North Railway Street in Morden.

Hampers ready for delivery during a previous year. Supplied photo.