Christmas Wish campaign to fill bags of holiday presents for children in need

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and the Children’s Aid Society of Thunder Bay (CAS) have partnered once again for the 18th annual Christmas Wish campaign, helping make the holiday season brighter for children in need across the city.

Children aged 0 to 13 who are connected with Thunder Bay CAS or Dilico are matched with a personalized gift wish list. Volunteers then shop for those items, pack them into gift boxes, and return them in time to be delivered for Christmas Day.

“This absolutely changes their Christmas,” said Dilico CEO Natalie Paavola. “It tells the kids that they’re not forgotten about. It tells them there’s people out there that care about them in the community.”

To grant a wish, pick up a Christmas Wish Bag at one of the participating locations, fill it according to the child’s profile (per Dilico, other gift suggestions could include learning and art supplies, books, socks, tooth brushes, mitts, hats, and sweaters), then return it by December 1.

There are 10 participating locations:

Volunteers are welcome to include a card with a Christmas Wish message, but are asked not to wrap the gifts.

“For some families, the holiday season really poses challenges and stressors financially, emotionally and spiritually,” said Michael Mirabelli, Thunder Bay CAS Manager of Service. “Part of this campaign is alleviating that burden […] The foundation of the campaign is simply that children deserve to open up a gift on Christmas morning.”

Officials say the goal of the 2026 campaign is to reach 1,500 donated gift bags, surpassing last year’s total of 1,200.

“I think Thunder Bay likes to challenge itself, which is why we continue to exceed our target goals every year,” Mirabelli said.

Over 11,000 gift bags have been donated since the inaugural Christmas Wish in 2008.