Project Christmas wraps gifts of joy for families in need

Gifts wrapped for families in need in Windsor, Ont. seen on Dec. 15, 2024. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)

A team of family, friends and volunteers in Windsor-Essex spent Sunday morning giving their best impression of Santa’s workshop to help 33 local families.

Project Christmas provides gifts for nominated families in the region through the support of donors.

Christina Delmedico, a co-creator of Project Christmas, also known as Mrs. Claus, said their efforts began years ago, with one family in need.

“The program grows year over year, and it has completely changed the meaning of Christmas for me,” Delmedico said.

On Sunday morning, Delmedico and the team wrapped gifts for the 33 families selected this year.

Project Christmas receives hundreds of nominations for families and selects those who are determined to be most in need. Delmedico then calls the selected families to inform them of the decision.

“There's a lot of tears,” she said.

“It's so impactful to feel the strength between two strangers come together, and they're just so humbled and they're so grateful, and that's what makes us work as hard as we do.”

Delmedico said families put together a wish list of basic necessities and clothing sizes.

“So, this year what was big was socks, shoes. Clothing has been a big one, underwear was a big one, and household items.”

Project Christmas relies heavily on donations and those who sponsor families.

This year, OPSEU Local 101, which represents healthcare workers at various hospital settings in Windsor-Essex, donated $5,000 to sponsor families.

Representative Jen Burton Liang told CTV News a local member suggested supporting Project Christmas.

“We were like, this is just perfect for us because they've already done all the work finding the families and arranging the drop-offs and everything,” Burton Liang said.

Burton Liang wrapped all the gifts for the family of six the Local has sponsored.

“It really touches you knowing what these families are going through,” Burton Liang said.

“You wish you could be there Christmas morning to see their faces, and it’s very rewarding for us to be able to give back to the community.”

After a positive experience, she said they will talk to union members about continuing their support next year.

As for this Christmas, Delmedico said they will fill up a donated Sprinter van on Dec. 21 and deliver gifts to the families.

While the goal is to provide presents to families, Delmedico said each year, the process proves to be a gift for her.

“A lot of the moms have opened up to me this year and shared their struggles with me and reach out to me when they're kind of feeling down,” she said.

“As much as it's helping them, that actually helps me too, and I really feel connected with their families.”