So far, 13 families have been adopted in the tri-communities. (Photo 130046707 © Mrtwister - Dreamstime.com)

By Derek Cornet

tis the season

Social media post fuels adoption of tri-community families for Christmas

Dec 10, 2021 | 12:41 PM

Christmas is known as the season of giving and that tradition certainly hasn’t been forgotten by local residents.

Wanting to make a change for one family during the holiday, Veronica Merasty took to social media asking residents if they knew anyone in need who she could help for Christmas. She explained she had endured difficult financial times in the past and had to turn to agencies such as the Salvation Army to provide a meal and toys for her children.

Merasty noted she’s not ashamed of having to do that, but now that she’s more secure, she wanted to give back and adopt a family for Christmas.

“I remember when I was living in a low-income home and struggling financially, I was really grateful when I would be able to resort to Salvation Army and agencies like that that help assist low-income families in the urban settings,” she said. “I thought I would see how it turned out if I posted it on Tri-Community-Talk. I thought maybe if I started by adopting one family, it would snowball and other people would try adopt a family as well.”

Within minutes of the post, local residents began nominating families to be adopted but others stating they were willing to adopt a family too. Merasty called the response heartwarming, adding so far 13 families will be taken care of on Christmas.

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Those who are adopted with receive a traditional Christmas meal with all the fixing, along with extras such as candy, chocolate, nuts and a toy for each child in the family. Merasty will keep nominations open until Dec. 15 but expects to deliver her hamper to her adopted family by Dec. 19.

“It’s just a small gesture, but it’s going to make families feel so fortunate at the time,” she said. “The families are really going to feel grateful when it comes closer to Christmas once we start delivering the gifts and food hampers.”

In the coming days, Merasty is challenging more tri-community residents to consider adopting a family. She noted there are about 40 families nominated so far and she would like to assist as many of them as possible. Those interested in doing so are welcome to reach out to her on Facebook.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @saskjourno