Horizon School Division Aids 147 Families with Holiday Hampers

The Horizon School Division successfully supported 147 families and 368 children during its annual Christmas Hamper Project in the 2025 holiday season. Now in its 12th year, the initiative has expanded significantly through contributions from students, staff, trustees, and local partners. Volunteers and community members collaborated to provide essential items for families in need, demonstrating the power of collective generosity.

Details of the Hamper Project

Each child involved in the program received a wrapped gift, a book, treats, and warm winter clothing including mitts, toques, and scarves. Additionally, families were given a $300 grocery gift certificate to assist with their holiday meals. Other valuable items included hygiene products, handmade quilts, fresh farm eggs, bags of potatoes, hand-beaded ornaments, and various donations from the community, according to the Horizon School Division’s official news release.

The total value of the 2025 project is anticipated to exceed $65,000, not accounting for the considerable contributions of goods and services from the community. “While Horizon’s website recognizes financial and in-kind donors, it cannot fully reflect the level of volunteerism and community spirit behind the initiative,” stated Jesse Green, communications officer for the division. This emphasizes the substantial effort behind the project, which relies heavily on community support.

A Community Effort

The heart of the Christmas Hamper Project lies in its community, as noted by Kevin Garinger, director of education for Horizon School Division. “It’s inspiring to see people come together to make the holidays brighter for families. Every gift and every volunteer hour shows that people care,” he expressed, highlighting the profound impact of the initiative on local families.

Since its inception in 2014, the Christmas Hamper Project has benefitted a total of 1,558 families and 4,086 children. While hampers are distributed in December, planning and fundraising efforts are conducted throughout the year to ensure the project’s success. The Horizon School Division actively welcomes financial and in-kind donations to support future initiatives, encouraging others to join in the effort to assist families in need.