by Nicole. B
Each December the DRCA sets up a Christmas tree with care, spreading festive cheer everywhere. Hung on the Christmas tree volunteers put up the light, sparkly garlands, ornaments, and pieces of paper decorated so bright. It is the giving season, and the giving tree is the perfect reason!
This December the DRCA will once again be running the Giving Tree at the Deer Run Community Centre. If you have ever come into the centre during November and December you may have noticed the trees decorated at the front desk, but they aren’t just for decoration. Along with all the ornaments and lights, little slips of paper actually hold an item from someone’s Christmas wish list!
The DRCA has been running the Giving Tree for more than ten years and has helped many families celebrate Christmas by bringing them gifts given by people like you. The tradition started when the DRCA noticed that in our communities, families weren’t getting to celebrate Christmas like they deserved. As a solution our community association decided that a Giving Tree was a great way to help these families give their children a memorable Christmas experience. Rob Garnett, Deer Run Community Centre Manager recounted a time when he had the opportunity to drop off gifts at a family’s house, “it was nice to see the joy it brought to the children’s faces.” Many board members and staff enjoy taking part in supporting our Giving Tree.
If you are interested in participating, you can expect family members to make a list of what they would like for Christmas and it is then transferred to our paper slip tag to stay on the tree until someone takes it off the tree and buys the gift on the tag. The slips could be from a mom, dad, or child asking for a specific item. Once the paper slip tag is taken off the tree you are able to purchase the gift for any family member. After the gift is purchased, you are able to bring the gift back along with the tag and the community centre will hold onto it until our volunteer wrappers get the gifts together.
If you don’t visit the community centre often or aren’t able to but still want to support the giving tree, don’t worry, there are options for you too! On our website at https://www.deerruncalgary.com/ you can find our digital Christmas list. On the digital Christmas list, you are able to choose what gift you want to bring in, then drop it off at the Deer Run Community Centre once you have purchased it.
Giving Tree Details
Giving tree starts November 13, 2025.
Giving Tree Ends December 17, 2025.
December 17, 2025, is the last day to return gifts to the Deer Run Community Centre.
Click here to the Deer Run Community News home page for the latest Deer Run community updates.
