A charitable organization which helps the less fortunate during the holiday season finds itself down on its luck.

The Magic of Christmas, a charity which, since 1983, has provided local families with gifts and food hampers, is currently without a warehouse. The society has relied on donated warehouse spaces throughout its 31 years, but, so far in 2014, no one has stepped forward with an offer.

“If we don’t have a warehouse, than we don’t have the volunteers to help us,” explains Shirley Sangster, who has been with the organization for 16 years. “We need the room to sort. If we don’t have the room, well, we don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Sangster says the organization requires a working space of at least 1400 square metres (5,000 sq. ft.) with a bay door and washrooms. While a warehouse with existing office spaces would be an asset, staff are willing to construct their own offices.

“We need this space right now, but hopefully we can have it in the next week or two.”

In past years, the organization’s volunteers:

  • Collected donated items
  • Sorted the items in a warehouse
  • Filled Calgary Transit buses with the items
  • Delivered the items to homes, nursing homes and hospitals along ‘Santa’s route’

“We’ve got a good word in with the big guy,” said volunteer Michelle. “I know Calgary has a lot of warm hearts that will step up to the plate when help is needed, and help is needed now.”

The donated items, which include toys, are currently being stored in large shipping containers.

Anyone willing to donate warehouse space to the charity is asked to email the Magic of Christmas president 

For additional information about the charity, visit The Magic of Christmas.