In Chilliwack, a dedicated volunteer is so passionate about spreading holiday cheer that she uses her precious vacation days to ensure families in need have gifts to open on Christmas morning. Jennifer Gore, a full-time child protection worker, immerses herself in the festive spirit by organizing and assembling personalized Christmas hampers for the annual Empty Stocking Fund campaign.
A Labour of Love That Feels Like an Obsession
For Gore, volunteering with Chilliwack Community Services is a highlight of her year, an activity she anticipates with immense joy. She books vacation time from her job at B.C.’s Children and Family Development Ministry to dedicate herself fully to the cause. Her commitment is so deep that she often loses track of time while working in the donation warehouse.
"It’s almost an obsession," Gore admitted with a chuckle. "I’ll set my alarm so I’m not late for work. And three o’clock comes around, and I’m like, ‘I’m just going do one more.’" She described how fellow volunteers sometimes have to remind her that her shift is about to start, prompting her to reluctantly leave the hampers behind.
Personalizing Joy for Thousands of Children
The scale of the need is significant. Gore helps coordinate wish lists for more than a thousand children in the Fraser Valley alone. The operation is supported by donations from toy drives across Metro Vancouver, collected in a warehouse space donated by her husband's union. Volunteers then sort through these donations to build hampers tailored to each family's requests.
Gore finds profound fulfillment in the personal touch. She and other volunteers strive to include at least one specific item from each child's wish list, whether it's a Dora the Explorer doll or a special Lego set. "You get to know just a tiny bit about a child and then try to find them the perfect gift in the warehouse," she said. This effort is especially important for teenagers, who often receive fewer donations than younger children, prompting Gore to sometimes purchase items herself to fill the gaps.
Addressing a Critical Need in B.C.
The work of the Empty Stocking Fund addresses a stark reality in the province. An estimated 43,000 children are living in poverty in B.C., a number large enough to fill Vancouver's Rogers Arena twice over. Against the backdrop of the high cost of living, Gore is moved by the gratitude of parents who receive the hampers.
"When you think of the cost of living, the economy, and then you think about these families who can’t afford Christmas gifts … it breaks my heart," Gore shared. "So if I can try and find them at least one item on their wish list to open on Christmas morning there’s a real joy in that."
The Province's Empty Stocking Fund, which has been operating for more than 100 years, partners with Chilliwack Community Services and the Salvation Army for its Christmas sharing program. The fund supports 25 community groups across British Columbia, providing food and gifts to families and individuals during the holiday season. Donations from the public are vital to its continued success and can be made online or by phone.
