By Josh Hall | @Vancan19 and Sheldon Spackman

the gift of giving

Young Red Deerian doing something nice for local seniors

Dec 2, 2023 | 2:52 PM

A light bulb recently went off in Gretchen VandenBrink’s head.

The 11-year-old Red Deer grade six student was helping classmates gather Christmas presents for residents of a pair of local seniors homes when she thought, ‘I could do more.’

So VandenBrink reached out to another seniors home, The Hamlets at Red Deer, on her own time to arrange a similar campaign separate from school.

For three weeks, the youngster has been solidifying her spot on Santa’s ‘Nice List’, collecting nearly $1,200 in cash donations and more.

“We’re looking for blankets, puzzles, stuffies, socks, winter accessories, chocolates, candies; things seniors would like. I’d like to raise as much as possible for them, but my goal is $2,000,” she tells rdnewsNOW.

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“It’s a really good time to give, especially to seniors because if you think about it, kids get gifts all the time, and they wake up on Christmas morning or for whichever holiday you may celebrate, to find gifts wherever you might put them. With seniors, if they don’t have families nearby anymore, they don’t get those same types of gifts. Everyone expects something fun on Christmas, so it’s great to make sure everyone gets something.”

Cash donations and other items can be dropped off at 5128 52 Street (Snell & Oslund Surveys) behind Superstore, and e-transfers can be sent to hohoho4seniors@gmail.com.

VandenBrink admits she’s passionate about giving during the holidays.

“It feels really amazing,” she adds. “Everybody talks about how they get so excited for the holidays because they get gifts, but my favourite part is giving gifts to people. I love to see the smiles on their face when they open their gifts, and just knowing a senior will have a smile on their face makes me really happy.”

VandenBrink is accepting cash and gift donations until Dec. 15.