​Horizon School Division central office staff and Board trustees have finished packaging gifts for children and families for this year's Christmas Hamper Project. The process for this year's project involved new measures to ensure physical distancing, limited groups of staff working at one time, face masks, and sanitization during the packing and wrapping process. The holiday spirit remained, however, as presents, books, gift cards, and other items were packaged and sent to families in need.

The Horizon Christmas Hamper Project, now in it's seventh year, collects donations from staff and individual Board members to purchase gifts and distribute them across communities within Horizon School Division. Horizon's Board of Education has committed funds to add to these donations. Funds are used to buy gifts such as grocery gift cards, touques, mitts, books, toys, and various other items to help spread goodwill and holiday cheer to less fortunate families in Horizon communities.

The program would not be successful without the generosity of our schools, staff, School Community Councils, Horizon Teachers' Association, CUPE Local 4799, along with local businesses such as the Haus of Stitches,  St. John's Lutheran Church in Humboldt, Humboldt Coop, and numerous other community partners who contribute to the initiative throughout the season. Anyone who wishes to contribute to this project is welcome to do so, and can contact Horizon School Division's central office for more information.

"This year, the number of students and families we are able to support with this project has grown to the highest numbers we have seen," said Horizon's Director of Education, Kevin Garinger. "2020 has been a challenging year for so many, and we are proud of the support our Christmas Hamper Project receives. To be able to share the holiday spirit with our families and children during this very special season is a privilege and a joy. Horizon's Board, staff, and community partners make this possible, and I am grateful for everyone involved." 

Each year, school administrators submit names of students and families they feel would benefit from this project. In 2014, the first year of Horizon's Christmas Hamper project, gift baskets were provided for 98 children and 46 families. This year, Horizon will be sharing gifts with 440 children and 174 families. This initiative is part of Horizon's goal of providing Safe & Caring learning environments for all students and staff.