A group of Winnipeggers are hoping to give struggling families a merry Christmas.

For more than a decade, Kyle Mason has organized the North End Christmas Party, sharing the Christmas spirit with hundreds of families each year. While the shared meal and photos will not be happening again this year, Mason will be leading a large group of people collecting roughly 900 Christmas presents for children in Winnipeg during the North End Toy Drive.

"It is always a highlight to see the kids' face light up, or even see the parents' face light up when they are able to get a gift or two for their kids. When you are under-resourced life is already difficult and at Christmas time it becomes even more difficult because you want to have a good Christmas," Mason says.

Mason, who was raised by a hard-working single mother, understands the struggle parents might be facing at Christmas.

"My mom worked hard to provide a happy, memorable time, but it was very humble," Mason says. "It was embarrassing as a kid to go back to school after the Christmas break."

Now, he looks forward to being on the other side of Christmas hampers each year, giving children a memorable holiday and the ability to share with classmates what they got for Christmas.

This is the second year for this toy drive, but the first year partnering with Birchwood Auto Group. The auto group is donating $5,000 to purchase gift cards to a local grocery store so families can have a Christmas meal. They are also offering up their locations to be present drop-off sites. 

Mason is looking for unwrapped presents for children of all ages and genders, including 16-year-olds, worth $15-$20. Aside from the auto group, presents also be dropped off at Modern Coffee and Good Earth Coffee House. The organizer is crediting Colleen Epp and Steve Bell's Signpost Music for their help putting this large project together over the past few weeks.

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