Christmas tree joy for every family!

Winnipeg grandmother of four Kim Kabel insists Christmastime doesn't begin until there's a tree trimmed with ornaments and lights. She also knows some families' budgets are stretched to the limit, so she spends all year collecting trees, lights and decorations to bring smiles to those in need!

Carols played softly as Kim Kabel, her mom, Audrey, and daughter, Farron, sorted through bags and boxes of ornaments, lights, tinsel and garlands. "Christmas is my favorite time of year," Kim smiled, thinking about how much had changed over the last few years.

For Kim, the holidays hadn't always been the happiest of times. In 2009, after her car was struck by a drunk driver, she spent several Christmases relying on pain meds and spiraling into hopelessness and depression. With the help of doctors and her family, Kim slowly took back her life.

She moved in with her mom, and together they bought the Winnipeg, Manitoba, house where Kim now sorted and boxed decorations—now a yearly tradition that had become a way to help others find hope again, just like she had.

A merry and bright idea

Like many during the pandemic, Kim spent time on social media-keeping up with friends and neighbors. Her heart ached whenever she read about yet another layoff, another family struggling to make ends meet...like the single mom who posted that her budget was so tight, she couldn't afford a tree or decorations.