CREDIT: FRANCIS SIEBERT
Donation boxes can be found in the Oasis, Biz Booth and the publications offi ce in SC1012.

Following a tradition that’s spanned six years, the Fanshawe Student Union will be giving a family a little extra help this Christmas.

Lori Masterson, a part-time instructor at Fanshawe, works for Merrymount Children’s Centre and is involved with lower income families. In the past she’s chosen the family to support.

“There’s four resource consultants that work in my office,” she said. “We chat amongst ourselves … who is a family that needs a little extra help this Christmas?”

Masterson says a lot of families she sees in her profession are involved with other agencies like Children’s Aid Society (CAS) and Salvation Army.

“We look for a family who is not getting any other support … and they’re struggling and could use that extra help at Christmas time,” she said. “A lot of times it’s been a single mom with children and the mom works part time. They’re really trying to make ends meet, but a little extra help at Christmas has been really beneficial.”

Understandably, the reactions from families are emotional.

“They’re taken aback,” Masterson said. “They think families that are getting help at Christmas are the families that are involved with other agencies, so they’re really appreciative.”

“It’s a huge impact on these families, because it’s something they never would have got.”

Tammy – whose last name will not be printed to protect her privacy – was chosen last year, and the FSU’s help came at a tough time.

“My family was going through a really rough period,” she said. “My nephew had been placed with us through the CAS, and because of safety concerns, we had to literally pick up and poof – disappear – and move into this small two-bedroom apartment.”

“It was a big sacrifice for the children – they lost all their outdoor space.”

Tammy’s boys – aged four, five and six – have needs of their own.

One son was diagnosed with autism at aged three. Her other son is being assessed for ADHD, and Tammy’s nephew is being assessed for developmental delays due to being exposed to substances in the womb.

When Tammy found out her family would be supported for Christmas, she said she could take a huge breath of relief.

“It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, because we had just undergone so much and sometimes you don’t realize how much you need that help until it’s given to you,” she said. “It felt like I was failing my family, because I couldn’t provide for them. “

The family had some requests – each request item was met.

“I really didn’t expect to get what we did get,” Tammy said. “When the kids came out on Christmas morning, it was like a Christmas miracle – totally. They got everything they ever wanted.”

Masterson says this is the time of year to help someone out.

“Your donation is going to help a child on Christmas morning,” she said. “There’s something magical about the day we go to drop everything off to the family. Just watching the families… the families are all in awe at how generous the Student Union is.”

“[It] makes them believe again, because Christmas morning is magical for them.”

Funds raised from the FSU’s staff party go towards Adopt A Family. Donation boxes can be found in the Oasis, Biz Booth and the publications office and will be accepted until December 12.