Box of Surprises Sends Spirits High
The Star box brought the Paredes family together.
A few days before Christmas, Ivon Paredes received a colourful box of goodies. It was for her 1-year-old son but she didn’t open it just then—she waited for her husband and older son to return.
In the evening, the family of four opened the box together and there were squeals of surprise and joy as they revealed each gift.
Amid the stress of adapting to a new country and learning a new language, the blue box brought the family together for one evening and helped raise their spirits. “But my older son was a bit jealous since there wasn’t anything for him,” laughed Paredes, originally from Mexico. Her older son is 15 and Star Santa Claus Fund boxes are for children under the age of 12.
Her younger son, who is now 2, still has everything, said Paredes. “The shirt is still a perfect fit and he plays with the toys all the time. I think it was a great mix-and-match in the box.”
Gurminder Bains said the best thing about the Star box was that it caught her by surprise. The immigrant from northern India signed up for it at the Rexdale Women’s Centre in Etobicoke – like Paredes – where she volunteers, and then forgot all about it.
Months later, there was a knock at her door and a stranger handed her a box loaded with presents. She said the family was overwhelmed by the act of kindness. “I didn’t believe it was for us at first – I told the man he was making a mistake,” said Bains, who then read her son’s name on the box. “Believe me, it was a big help in the winter. Children tend to lose things like mitts and hats very easily and this was such a boon.”
For Paredes, the idea that some strangers somewhere were thinking about her made the box special. “My son loved everything in it. For me, it was the thought that went behind helping families,” she said through an interpreter.
Besides the Star box, the centre has introduced the two women to ESL classes and daycare for their kids. “We’ve really benefited from coming here,” said Paredes, who is learning English.
Lorena Portillo, who works at the centre, hears great things about the boxes every year but there’s one story she can never forget. Last year, she met a refugee family from Mexico who hadn’t been able to buy a single new thing for their five children for years. When they received five boxes, the parents took out the presents and wrapped everything separately in bright paper. “They wanted the children to open as many new packages as possible. They hadn’t done that in years,” said Portillo.
“It was a blessing for them. The mother told me it was the best Christmas ever for the family.”
If you have been touched by the Santa Claus Fund or have a story to tell, please email santaclausfund@thestar.ca.
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