A new grassroots project is bringing warmth, comfort, and Christmas cheer to families in Martensville. The Hopeful Hands Initiative – Prairie North, created by local parent and homeschooler Michelle Whalen, is launching its first year of Christmas Gift Hampers for families with children who may be struggling this holiday season.
Whalen, who has lived in Martensville for eight years with her husband and two daughters, has long been involved in fundraising and community support. Before becoming a mom, she spent much of her time volunteering with charities in Saskatoon. After her children were born, she shifted to at-home organizing, planning fundraisers, hosting events, and supporting families in need. Her projects have helped organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, Kids Haven House, the Salvation Army, and the Martensville Food Pantry.
Hopeful Hands, she says, grew naturally out of her passion for creating meaningful experiences and helping families through difficult moments.
“Everyone needs support at some point, and I wanted to take the fundraising I’ve done to help those who needed help, and keep it in the community,” Whalen said. “Our community already has a wonderful food program, but I noticed that families often need help with other essentials too, especially during the holidays, when even a small bit of magic can mean the world to a child. Many parents feel overwhelmed and may not feel comfortable asking for help. I understand that feeling, both from my own childhood and from moments as a parent when my family needed a little support due to circumstances. I wanted to create something gentle, simple, and stigma-free.”
The initiative’s mission is to provide comfort, joy, and practical support to families, beginning this year with Christmas Gift Hampers. Each hamper includes at least two gifts per child, plus stocking stuffers, all personalized based on the child’s wish list or interests. Michelle hopes to provide 15–20 hampers this season, depending on donations.
Families can request a hamper by emailing hopeful.hands.initiative@gmail.com, and community members can also nominate a family in need. Hampers are intended for families with children under 18 who are not receiving support from other holiday programs. Nominations close December 6, and due to limited quantities, not all nominations are guaranteed to receive a hamper. All personal information shared for nominations is kept confidential.
Although Whalen runs most of the initiative from her kitchen table, coordinating donations, planning events, responding to families, and scheduling pickups, Hopeful Hands already has strong community support.
Recent STEM-themed children’s classes, hosted in collaboration with the Art Ville Winter Craft Market, raised $130 for the program. Kids learned about plant cells, extracted banana DNA, and explored genetics in a fun, hands-on environment.
Local sponsors have also stepped up, including the Canalta Hotel, who donated their meeting space for an upcoming Christmas tea party fundraiser. The local Co-op is sponsoring food and drinks for the event.
“Even though I’m the one coordinating everything, Hopeful Hands truly exists because the community cares. Their support, even simply attending events, is what makes this possible. It wouldn’t exist without the positive response from the community.”
While the initiative is starting with holiday hampers, Whalen hopes to expand Hopeful Hands into a year-round support program, offering seasonal hampers, emergency help, and more community events for kids and families. She also hopes to eventually grow beyond Martensville into surrounding communities.
Residents and businesses can support Hopeful Hands in several ways; donating toys, toiletries, or gift cards, sponsoring a family by purchasing items from a wish list, volunteering at events, including the tea party fundraiser, contributing to or sponsoring community fundraisers and by sharing posts and spreading the word.
“Supporting families in this way means everything to me. Especially during the holidays, knowing that a parent can breathe a little easier, or that a child will wake up excited on Christmas morning, is very meaningful. Hopeful Hands isn’t just about giving items; it’s about giving hope, dignity, and a reminder that no family is alone.”
For nominations, donations, or more information, contact hopeful.hands.initiative@gmail.com.
