‘There’s magic in seeing strangers come together’: Volunteer elves deliver holiday cheer to Bow View Manor residents

The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s Bow View Manor is filled with holiday magic, as “Santa’s Elves” deliver personalized gifts to each and every resident.

For the past six years, a group of volunteers from Beyond Our Image have delivered gifts to residents at Bow View Manor.

“I think there’s some kind of magic in seeing strangers come together, because there’s no motive behind it,” said Shannon Hutchison. “It’s such an amazing feeling to see strangers helping strangers.”   

Beyond Our Image is a social enterprise founded by Hutchison that aims to create communities and workplaces where every person feels seen, heard, and important. In the past few years, they have been able to purchase and collect gifts for each of the over 200 residents living at the Manor.

Each year, the recreation team spends time getting to know each resident and what they are interested in, so a wish list can be made, and the gifts can be entirely customized to each person. Hutchison then sends out the wish list to her volunteers. 

“People are able to kind of adopt a resident in a way,” she said.  

The gifts are hand-delivered to each resident by Hutchison, her team of volunteers, and the recreation team. Some of the gifts given include jewellery, CD players, books, puzzles, and cozy blankets. Each present also includes smaller essential items, such as lotion, soap, and toothpaste.

Kayla Doiron, Manager of Therapeutic Recreation and Volunteer Services at Bow View Manor, says that gestures, like these gift deliveries, bring a lot of joy and comfort to the residents.

“A lot of our residents don’t have family, or their family live out of town. Or, due to financial stress, just getting a Christmas gift from volunteers, it’s amazing,” she said.

The Brenda Strafford Foundation is so grateful for the team at Beyond Our Image for spreading joy and making the holiday season so special for our residents.