Salvation Army Brightens Newcomer Family’s Christmas
Leah (not her real name) and her family have lived in Canada for five years. Now a little more settled, they can look back on their first holiday season in their new home and on how The Salvation Army in East Toronto played a role in making it special.
“Since we were new, it was a hard adjustment, especially financially with food prices,” Leah says.
“Our main concern was not being able to give our lovely children Christmas gifts.”
Not long after arriving in Canada, Leah’s family connected with The Salvation Army and received essential support. Although they were getting by, Leah was concerned about that first Christmas. She did not want to disappoint her children, but with the many expenses that come with immigrating, the prospect of an abundant Christmas did not seem possible.
“Our main concern was not being able to give our lovely children Christmas gifts,” Leah remembers.
However, the staff at The Salvation Army stepped in, introduced Leah to their Christmas assistance program and the family received presents and gift cards that went a long way to helping them enjoy their holidays to the fullest.
“It made Christmas feel more joyful and less overwhelming for our family.”
“The gifts we got supported us feeding-wise. With the gift cards, we were able to buy some food items we needed. The children, on the other hand, were happy seeing the toys, games and books they received,” Leah shares.
After seeing the impact of The Salvation Army’s assistance, Leah felt relieved and grateful.
“The support was truly meaningful. It eased a lot of stress as the holidays approached. It helped us provide for our children in ways we could not have done on our own. It made Christmas feel more joyful and less overwhelming for our family.
“Christmas would have been difficult without the support. We would have struggled to provide even the basics and the celebration would’ve felt incomplete.”
In addition, Leah says the process and staff at The Salvation Army made her feel comfortable. Regarding donors, she says it warmed her heart to see that the community was willing to help.
“Knowing people cared enough to support families during such an important time of the year reminded us that we were not alone. It gave us hope and comfort,” Leah adds.
Thanks to the assistance Leah’s family received, they have a lot of appreciation for The Salvation Army and their services.
“The Salvation Army means kindness, compassion, and community. The support didn’t just help us materially; it lifted our spirits.”
By Juan Romero
