MyCityCare’s Shop of Wonders Open House on Dec. 2

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

MyCityCare Taber’s Shop of Wonders program will be holding an Open House at their office located at 5120 47 Avenue in Taber, on Monday, December 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. while the official program will launch on December 3.

“Shop of Wonders is a Christmas experience for families who are facing financial hardships,” said Kelly Fehr, director of MyCityCare and Healthy Heroes.  

The purpose of the program, Fehr says, is to empower parents by resourcing them with what they need to bring Christmas to their children allowing families to celebrate together without forcing them to decide between presents or paying for bills or putting food on the table. 

The program, Fehr says, will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only from December 3 until the needs of those registered for assistance are met. 

“The program is set up to help as many children/families as we can that register with us,” said Fehr. “Last year we had 435 children. The program is funded 100 per cent by community donations of new toys or monetary donations.”

Shop of Wonders, Fehr says, originated in 2016 through MyCityCare in Lethbridge, and Parallel Church in Taber launched in September 2019 and that brought MyCityCare to Taber making 2019 the first year for Shop of Wonders Taber. 

Currently, Fehr says, there are six Shop of Wonders sites including Taber, Lethbridge, Penticton, Calgary, Claresholm and Okotoks. The Taber shop, Fehr says, is open to Taber residents and surrounding communities including but not limited to Barnwell, Grassy Lake, Vauxhall, Warner, and Enchant.

“Shop of Wonders was launched to address the increasing need presented by vulnerable and financially insecure families,” said Fehr. “These families were making the difficult decision to put food and necessities on the table instead of celebrating Christmas with their children. For many families the expense of gifts under the tree goes above their ability to provide and we want to ensure that all families have an equal opportunity to celebrate Christmas, despite any hardships they may be facing. This is our sixth year in Taber. Shop of Wonders partnered with the Taber Food Bank to come alongside them and help provide for the gift needs of families so they could focus on their Christmas hampers and food.”

Shop of Wonders, Fehr says, also accepts donations of new unwrapped toys or items for children ages 0-18 and donations of wrapping paper and supplies. Donations, Fehr says, can be dropped off at the MyCityCare Taber office on Tuesdays or dropped off in one of their donation boxes at one of their partnering businesses throughout the community. The list of partnering businesses, Fehr says, can be found on the MyCityCare Taber Facebook page.

“Our community has been amazing at supporting the program,” said Fehr. “We have multiple businesses partnering with us as drop off locations, many businesses get their employees involved in donating toys or volunteering together at the shop. We have businesses and organizations organizing toy drives and special events to bring in town donations. It is amazing to see everyone come together for these families.” 

In addition to donations, Fehr says, the program also accepts volunteers.

“Shop of Wonders is an amazing opportunity to volunteer!” said Fehr. “From wrapping gifts to hosting to being a personal shopper, there is something for everyone. People can also go to our Facebook page to find our volunteer link or email us at taber@mycitycare.ca.”

Fehr says that families who wish to register to benefit from Shop of Wonders can by visiting https://www.facebook.com/mycitycaretaber/ ;www.mycitycare.ca or email taber@mycitycare.ca, or visit in person on MyCityCare Taber’s office day, which is Tuesday from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. at Parallel Church. 

“Shop of Wonders is an amazing and practical way to get our entire community involved to help those that are in need,” said Fehr. “We can all play a part in making our community a better place to live, and making sure any family wanting to experience the joy and wonder of Christmas is a great place to start. Not only does the program help those who are struggling or seeking its services, it also holds a special place in the hearts of those who volunteer or donate. I would like to thank our community for the continued support and involvement with not only Shop of Wonders but all our programs. We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing community.”