P.E.I. mental health group makes sure everyone gets Christmas gift

The coordinator of a Christmas charity drive for Island residents with mental health issues says a declining stigma means more people are in need ofthe annual gift campaign.

The White Cross Christmas campaign, run by the Canadian Mental Health Association on P.E.I., collects donations to provide gifts to people who are alone at Christmas due to mental health or emotional issues - and volunteers are gearing up for a busy season.

"As the mental health stigma starts to disappear, and people are coming out, our gift campaign has grown immensely," said coordinator Sharon Claybourne, speaking on CBC Mainstreet.

Claybourne said the campaign wrapped and delivered approximately 700 gifts in Queen's County alone last year.

Donation boxes across Island

Donations are accepted all across the Island, with boxes in place at hospitals and care homes, retail outlets and some pharmacies.

Claybourne said campaign volunteers put together a list of requests for gifts sent in by various caregiving groups.

"We work very closely with people who have mental health issues, or emotional," said Claybourne. "As you know, mental health affects one out of five people."

Just receiving it makes me smile.- White Cross gift recipient

They get requests for specific types of gifts, which they purchase with the donations collected.

"Hats, mitts, gifts that are useful are lovely," she said. "Scarves, warmth, toothpaste, toothbrushes. Also, we're having an influx of youth, and youth don't have money to go to movies, so movie cards are absolutely wonderful."

Claybourne read from a letter the campaign had receivedfrom someone who described the importance of getting their gift.

"Receiving the White Cross Christmas gift reminds me that I'm not truly alone and have support I should never have required," she read. "I always look forward to their gift, and there's no demands expected of me. Just receiving it makes me smile, and I look forward to a reminder that I'm not alone, but remembered by you. I'm truly grateful."

The White Cross Christmas campaign will continue until Dec. 11, when the gifts are wrapped and distributed by the CMHA volunteers around the province.

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