The initiative bringing birthday boxes to kids in remote communities
One initiative is making sure kids living in remote regions, including those in Manitoba, have the birthday of their dreams.
The Northern Birthday Box Project sends boxes filled with birthday supplies to children living in fly-in communities or communities that are about three hours away from a major centre.
“We’re sending all across the north, into Ontario, into Quebec, and also into northern parts of Manitoba,” said volunteer Koreyan Peterson in an interview on Tuesday.
Peterson explained the organization gets applications from families in northern and remote parts of Canada. The application includes some of the children’s preferences, including theme, cake mix, and icing.
Once the application is processed, it is matched with a sponsor family that puts together the box and sends it to the applicant directly.
Peterson said they give the sponsors some freedom as to what they can include in the box, but they need to send cake mix, icing, candles, balloons, and some decorations.
She noted they want the decoration to be in the child’s preferred theme because, “shopping at most of their local stores, they don’t get the same options as kids who live in the lower half of Canada.”
“A lot of our sponsors actually go above and beyond and make embroidered towels or send up a Happy Birthday banner with the child’s name on it,” she said.
“It’s quite fun to see what people make, as well as what they send that we tell them we have to.”
Peterson said those who want to become a sponsor can contact the charity organization on Facebook. She noted most people spend about $40 to $60 on their boxes, plus the cost of shipping.
- With files from CTV’s Nicole Dube.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.