For some young people, getting a Christmas box with socks and mitts inside might not mean much.
To others, it could represent hope.
Barrie's Youth Haven, Simcoe County's only emergency shelter for youth experiencing homelessness, is asking the community to support its holiday fundraiser.
For $50 you can purchase a "Box of Hope."
The money will go to purchase a gift for one of the youth, plus toiletries and also food.
Executive director Lucy Gowers says they hope to sell 413 boxes.
"That represents the number of young people we saw, last year, at the Barrie shelter and through our outreach offices in Midland, Alliston, Orillia, Innisfil, Bradford and Collingwood," she told BarrieToday. "These are the community's youth.
"Donors can truly can be the difference giving at-risk youth the spirit of Christmas and belief in themselves," Gowers added.
This is the second year for this fundraiser.
Board member Ian MacLennan said last Christmas he watched as the young people snapped pictures not only of the presents, but of the wrapping paper, too.
"A 17-year-old male opened a sweatshirt and said it was the first time anyone had given him a Christmas gift in years," MacLennan said.
The online campaign continues until Nov. 27, which is known as Giving Tuesday.
Some boxes include prizes like ski and golf passes, museum passes or gift cards.
To donate, visit www.boxesofhope.ca.
