Holiday shoppers in the giving spirit this holiday season
Calgary malls are still a destination for Christmas shoppers who aren't purchasing all their gifts online and that's good news for charities who've set up shop at Southcentre Mall.
Southcentre marketing manager Alexandra Velosa said it's important for the mall to provide opportunities for people to give back to the community through its charities of choice.
This year Velosa said the mall worked with a dozen different charities.
"We're always looking at opportunities to connect with the community and give charities an opportunity to be visible and interact with people," said Velosa. "(We want to) let (customers) know what they do and most importantly explain the impact (their) donations make for those charities and causes."
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is 'Wrapping for a Cure' on the second level near the food court. Kristina Jakeman is a fund development associate with the charity and said the agency is usually at three Calgary malls for Christmas but because of the pandemic they're only wrapping gifts at one.
"It's one of our biggest fundraisers of the year," said Jakeman. "We have over 100 volunteers this year coming in to wrap for us, we're hoping to raise about $20,000 and we have an ambitious goal of gift wrapping 7000 presents this year."
Jakeman said all the money raised helps fund research, advocacy and care at its four specialized clinics in Alberta that help people with Cystic Fibrosis.
"I would say the average amount of gifts that people get wrapped are about four and about $20 donation for all four gifts," she said.
Bev Spielman has volunteered wrapping gifts for nine years and likes knowing she's helping fund research. Spielman said spending a few hours with other volunteers makes her happy.
"(It's) very heart warming and it's a lot of fun, you meet a lot of interesting people, "said Spielman."You kind of get a chance to put your (wrapping) skills together, you know, put together a nice package for a customer and they go away happy, (and it) makes you happy."
John Staples just finished his Christmas shopping and is supporting the charity by having all his gifts wrapped.
"I think it's easier to give this time of year," he said. "There's definitely more places to do it and more access for it so it seems like everybody's more in the giving mood at this time of year."
Santa takes up centre court at the mall but off to the side is the Cookie Kitchen. It's a fundraiser for Calgary Meals on Wheels. Cindy Browning is with the charity and enjoys watching children of all ages come decorate a cookie with icing, marshmallows and sprinkles.
"Our goal is to give out 8000 cookies and hopefully to raise $16,000 this year and we're on track because as of last week we were probably about $8, 500," said Browning. "We're halfway through and we still have just over two and a half weeks to go."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops
As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east, wounding more than a dozen people, and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.