The Countdown to Christmas is on....

Laura Szabo (left) and Shelby Knox are ready to help shoppers cross wrapping presents off their Christmas list. Both are volunteers at the Seaway Mall’s gift-wrapping table, which raises money by donations for the Welland & District SPCA. “It is nice for the charity,” says Szabo. “This is one of our largest fundraisers. ”

Keep your holiday stress under wrap with a little help from the Welland SPCA: Updated

By: Brandy Ford

Read my article at Welland Tribune

The count-down is on as the days remaining until Christmas morning drops to single digits this week. The to-do list may seem endless as you search for perfect last-minute gifts and prepare for family gatherings, but before tangling yourself in scotch tape and wrapping paper, why not pass along all your gifts to the volunteers at the gift-wrapping table by Santa’s Village at the Seaway Mall? Not only will you be making your life a little easier, but you will be supporting the Welland & District SPCA.

"This is our third year that the Seaway Mall has made us the charity of choice for the gift-wrapping program. And in the two years that we have been doing it we've raised over $10,000 for the shelter which is amazing," says animal care manager, Tammy Gaboury.

She says that each year the donations have increased from the previous year, so they are hopeful that trend will continue for 2018.

"We hope that everyone will come out and visit our amazing volunteers that are giving their time to man that table for us and wrap up your gifts. One last thing that you have to check off your list."

Laura Szabo, a volunteer for the cat adoption centre at the mall, has also been helping out with the wrapping and says the response from shoppers has been “really good” since the program opened for the season December 7.

“People (like) supporting the humane society,” she says. “It is kind of steady right now, but next week and going into the weekend it will be crazy busy. We have people actually bring in shopping carts full of gifts to wrap.”

Volunteers are ready for any oddly shaped or sized gifts that people drop off. 

"We have the boxes. We have the paper. We have the ribbon. We have it all and are ready to meet everyone's needs," Gaboury says.

Volunteers are able to accept donations via debit, credit card or cash from shoppers.

"We have a minimal fee for the wrapping to help cover the costs of wrapping paper and supplies," Gaboury says. "And it is a fundraiser. Some people pay the minimal fee which is appreciated, and some people choose to donate a bit more which is also very appreciated."

The wrapping station will remain open right up until Christmas Eve when the mall closes. 

"It starts out slow, but it picks up as we get closer to the big day. We get lots of husbands and boyfriends on that last day," she laughs. “They come and drop it off and come back when it is all wrapped and pretty.”