Help brighten the holidays for kids in care

This holiday season, the Dawson community is invited to join the Batshaw Annual Holiday Gift Campaign and help make the season brighter for children and teens in Youth Protection.

Across the Montreal area, about 200 young people will be turning 18 and leaving the system this year—and they need a bit of extra support as they step out on their own. You can make a difference.

On your own or as part of a team, you can help fulfill a child’s wish list or contribute toward gifts and essentials for more than 1,500 children, from infants to teens, who are living in foster care, group homes, or vulnerable families.

This year, Dawson has committed to six older teens who need warm clothing and grocery cards, as well as five young children aged 0–10 who need winter clothes.

Janice Harvey (Retired Faculty, History and Scholar in Residence) is coordinating the campaign once again and is looking for:

• Individuals, departments, or groups who would like to be matched with a child or teen and their wish list (suggested value: about $50 per child).
• People who wish to contribute funds—any amount helps—and Janice will purchase and wrap the gifts on your behalf.

If you would like to take part, please contact Janice as soon as possible and before Friday, Dec. 5 at jharvey@dawsoncollege.qc.ca. Gifts need to reach Batshaw by approximately Dec. 10.

For Janice, this initiative is about community care: “These children are part of our extended Dawson family,” she said. This marks the eighth year that Dawson has come together for this campaign, and last year, the community provided gifts for around 90 children. Additional information will be shared with those who express interest.

Help bring joy and warmth to a young person’s holiday—every gift makes a difference.