Riverview staff send gift boxes to needy kids
Friday, December 1, 2006 -- Craig Anderson
An activity aide at Riverview Manor who wanted to raise a small amount of money to send a single gift box to a needy child in a less-developed country was pleasantly surprised when the support of fellow staff allowed him to send six gift boxes.

Adam Wicklund, an aide at the Peterborough-based home for a year, wanted to replicate Operation Christmas Child, a charity effort popular with local churches. The charity effort involves individual boxes containing at least ten items (toys, school supplies, hygiene items) being sent to needy kids in foreign countries.

Operation Christmas Child is run internationally by Samaritan’s Purse and headed by Reverend Franklin Graham, son of American evangelist Billy Graham.

“I thought it would be a great idea to get Riverview Manor to participate in this project,” says Wicklund.

Wicklund suggested to Sherri Baldwin, LEC, that while off-duty he could ask fellow staff for donations to buy enough items to fill a box. Baldwin quickly agreed.

The staff were more than supportive.

“I was overwhelmed with the response,” he says.

Wicklund’s efforts, and the generosity of Riverview staff, allowed him to raise $120 in a short period of time. $78 went towards box items with the remainder going to shipping costs.

The six boxes will go to children living in countries including Venezuela, Argentina, El Salvador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.

Each box will feature items such as stuffed animals, balls, yo-yo’s, crayons, writing pads, combs, and washcloths. Each box contains a return address and a photo of the 124-ned home, says Wicklund, which might result a response from one of the box recipients.

“When I asked for donations I was suggesting a dollar – I was surprised that some wanted to give more,” says Wicklund. He adds that residents also showed their support for his efforts.

“I thought it was a neat idea,” he says.