Pandemic : What’s up with the Little Elves?

COVID-19 has upended all our lives, that’s the least we can say. For the Little Elves, the constraints associated with the sanitary guidelines, social distancing in particular, force us to review everything we do.

Indeed, most of our fundraising events have been cancelled. After contacting every beneficiary organization we serve to understand their situation, their needs and those of their clients, we are reevaluating our gift procurement as well as the logistics of wrapping and shipping in pandemic times.

The Foundation is lucky to have partners and generous donors who will allow our volunteer Elves to do a lot of good this year.

In detail

Finances

Despite our fundraising freeze, the 2020 campaign is going well due to an important donation from Supermax Healthcare Canada that will cover 70% of our projected expenses this year. Great big THANKS to Mr Sylvain Bergeron, vice-president and owner of this company, whose generosity allows us to focus our energies on solving all the other puzzles the pandemic creates. Sincere thanks as well to past donors who have responded positively to our traditional mailing.

That said, we still need some funding for the anticipated difference. Help us to reach our goal: make a donation, too!

Marché Jean-Talon Kiosk

With Montreal in the «Red Zone» until at least November 28th, and in view of sanitary rules, we are writing off our sweet & spicy peanuts season for 2020. As well, Santa Claus will stay safely home, busy reviewing his production line.

The Elves’ Accessories

You will still get a chance to visit Jean-Talon Market if you buy some of our merch in our online store! Your orders are pick-up only, every Sunday until December 20th at Marché des saveurs du Québec!

Available now : 

Wrapping…

This is the most complex element of our 2020 campaign. We have sadly come to the conclusion that it will be impossible to hold a wrapping week-end with an open call for volunteers. Many things informed our discussions, including:

  • The slowdown in the shipping industry forcing us to assemble our boxes November 29th at the latest.
  • The impossibility of safely bringing together a large group of volunteers at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf while the city is in the “Red Zone”.
  • The wishes and needs expressed by our beneficiary organizations.
  • The review of the types of gifts given.
  • The need to limit human movements and reduce the manipulation of gifts & wrapping materials. 

So it is a very small group, comprized of Senior Elves and their closest associates, that will take on the assembly of the boxes and the wrapping. Many beneficiary organizations will be wrapping locally, and the number of gifts left to wrap do not justify involving more people than is strictly necessary.

Dear volunteers, our fingers are crossed that we can once again greet you all at the Little Elves’ Workshop next year. We miss you!