Gift a stocking is an initiative the Morden Christmas Cheerboard does alongside its hamper deliveries and this year it was completed by the Morden Adult Education Centre like it has in previous years.

"They (Morden Adult Education) communicate with the Christmas Cheerboard and find out how many children and families are receiving hampers. Then we try to match each child with a gift-a-stocking. So, there's something special waiting for them when the hamper arrives. Last year we didn't do it because of time restraints, but we resurrected it again this year," said Director John Loewen.

Loewen noted this year there were 224 stockings needed for children in Morden and the students were able to raise enough money so they could fulfill that need. The Cheerboard told the group how many, what age groups, and what gender the children were and then did the shopping accordingly.

These stockings are in hopes to add a little more brightness to a child's Christmas, and some of the time Loewen stated, some of the students have been recipients of these hampers.

"Another kind of back story to why we do it is because often the Adult Ed students are recipients of these cheer packages for a variety of very legitimate reasons and this is one opportunity for them to get involved and give back," said Loewen. "As nice as it's to know we are sending stockings to children out in the community, it's equally great to watch our students get involved. Their great efforts and attitudes make all worth while."

Purchasing, and stocking 224 stockings doesn't come the need for money to buy all of the stocking's contents and Loewen again can't believe how time and time again the community comes out and supports the community.

Photo supplied by Morden Adult Education Centre