In November 1955, The Brandon Council of Women saw a need for a Central Christmas Cheer Registry.  The aim was to prevent the duplication and see that all needy families received assistance.  They set up an office in the St. John Ambulance building.  The Registry office was a clearing house for names only and they did not collect or distribute food or gifts.  The first year, names of 180 families were distributed to churches and schools that were willing to pack and deliver parcels of Christmas Cheer.  The Salvation Army and the Manitoba Telephone System helped out in the beginning and have continued their assistance to this day.

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By the 70s, the Registry was packing and distributing hampers. In 2012, The Registry was involved with the distribution of approximately 1,900 hampers in Brandon and the Westman area.  Of these hampers, 950 were packed and delivered from the Registry Office.  7 First Nation Communities also received food and gifts for their Christmas parties.

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Through the cooperation of all helping agencies and groups, names of hamper recipients are submitted to the Registry.  Those needing hampers are asked to apply through a social agency, school or church.

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As per our mission statement, families with children will be our main focus for hampers. For individuals receiving hampers, the priority will be in the order that they are applied for.  Later applications may not receive hampers if the need is too great to accommodate.