The power of a Holiday Hamper

The power of a Holiday Hamper goes beyond the food, necessities and small gifts that are found inside.

Giving and receiving a gift helps create memories, strengthens the bond between our Members and the community, and most importantly it shows many parents and caregivers how much they are appreciated and loved.

Over the coming days, we will be sharing remarkable stories of hope, joy, generosity, strength and community with you – our BGC Ottawa Family who has a tremendous impact on children, youth and their families during the holiday season and year-round.

On a blistery winter evening, I delivered a hamper to a single mom and her daughter. Snow was falling, the roads needed clearing and there was little room to safely park my car. When the family saw me arrive, they greeted me by the road.

When I opened the trunk and started handing them the Holiday Hamper and gifts, they were overcome with joy. The young girl began jumping up and down with excitement and her mom began to cry.

Next thing I knew, we found ourselves wrapped in a big hug – an embrace that felt like a warm blanket on a cold night. I could feel a deep sense of gratitude, appreciation and relief. Then, the mother whispered two simple words… “Thank you. Thank you for making it possible for me to provide my daughter with a proper Christmas.”

Later that evening, I received a video message. When I hit play, I was greeted by a warm smile, and a heartfelt thank you from the mother after they opened the Holiday Hamper to see what was inside. What struck me the most was that they were so excited to receive the simplest of things… items to bake a special holiday treat, or to create a festive meal.

In this moment, I realized how deep our impact is for families who otherwise could not afford to celebrate the holiday season with a delicious warm meal, decorations or gifts to exchange with their loved ones.

Sabrina Gouchie
Acting Clubhouse Manager, Tomlinson Family Foundation Clubhouse

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Our stockpile was starting to run low; the last hampers were being assembled and wrapped by volunteers; and it was one of the final deliveries I planned personally for the season.

One of my colleagues joined me for the occasion. We were visiting a family who recently had their phone disconnected – they had to choose between feeding their family healthy meals or a lifeline, conversations with their loved ones and dear friends, updates from the Club, local news or access to emergency services. We had no way to reach them. They didn’t know we were coming.

When we arrived on their doorstep, the parents looked surprised and asked, “Who is this for?

I simply replied, “It’s for you.

They thanked us quietly, clearly moved by the generosity. As we walked away, we suddenly heard cheers erupting from inside the house. That sound of joy, of happiness, stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t just about the food or the gifts – it was the hope and connection those hampers brought. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that experience.

In that moment, I realized these hampers are so much more than the items they contain. They are a powerful reminder to families that someone cares and that they’re not alone. It’s this sense of support and community that makes our work at BGC Ottawa so meaningful.

It’s moments like this that remind me of why the work we do at BGC Ottawa matters so much.

Sarah Cybulski
Senior Manager, Special Events and Community Engagement

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I have never seen someone so overwhelmed by emotion, by the generosity of others, that the look in their eyes, the smile on their face and the warmth in their words still hits a little differently today.

Last year, my team at the Don McGahan Clubhouse gathered to deliver a hamper to a local family. We arrived on their door with a bag full of gifts, not wanting to carry the heavier items in case they weren’t home. Luckily, they were there, enjoying a little family time.

One of my colleagues explained that a donor had generosity build a hamper just for them, and we were delivering it, along with a few gifts, to help them celebrate the holiday season. The family accepted the bag we had with us, thanked our team, and wished us “Happy Holidays.”

“There’s more. We’ll be right back,” said one of my staff members grinning from ear-to-ear. We returned to our vehicle, and then made our way back to their doorstep with another bag of gifts and a laundry basket of food and household necessities.

The mother was deeply surprised and expressed her immense gratitude for the kindness shown by others. She was even more shocked when the staff member said, “there is still another bag.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, the mother repeated the words “thank you”. Those two simple words was all she needed to say. Her eyes, smile and warmth told us how much the hamper was appreciated by her, and the entire family, and the positive impact it was sure to have as they celebrated the days ahead.

Paul Beauchamp
Clubhouse Manager, Don McGahan Clubhouse

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My last delivery before the holidays turned into one of the most memorable exchanges of the season. Maybe I even saved the best for last!

I had packed a hamper for a family of five – a single mother and her four children. They had recently been displaced from their home and were living in a local shelter. Thankfully, a friend welcomed the family into their home, to give them a safe, comforting space to celebrate the holidays.

When I arrived on their friend’s doorstep, I was greeted by the whole family – a bittersweet sight knowing the recent struggles they had been faced with. The mother, who was holding her youngest child, gently handed them to an older sibling, stepped outside, closed the door, and made her way to my car.

She didn’t have to say anything at all. You could see the sense of relief and appreciation on her face. She quietly picked out a few gifts for her children to open on Christmas morning, and then I handed her the Holiday Hamper and a couple of gift cards. Now, she could do something special for her family over the holidays.

At a loss for words, all she could muster up was a simple “thank you so much” behind a quivering smile. I wished her and her family “Happy Holidays,” got back in my car, smiled, and slowly drove away.

One family… five people… feeling the love of so many people who truly care!

Sabrina Gouchie
Acting Manager, Tomlinson Family Foundation Clubhouse

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If you have the means to help, and to bring joy and warmth to a local family this holiday season, please consider a BGC Ottawa Member and their family. Your generosity means the world to them and truly makes a lasting impact.

To learn more about our Holiday Hamper Program, to make a monetary gift or to sponsor a family, please visit www.bgcottawa.org/holidayhampers.