The Magic of Christmas charity brings joy to families who might otherwise not have much to celebrate.
But this year, the group is having trouble making Christmas dreams come true.
For three decades, visits from Magic of Christmas volunteers dressed as Santa and his elves have brightened the lives of Calgarians.
This year, the group is hoping for a little Christmas magic itself. Throughout the day, donations have arrived in dribs and drabs.
But the volunteers say they are still desperately short of many items, demonstrated by the hundreds of empty boxes covering the floor of their southwest warehouse.
"Gifts for moms, dads and teens, and a lot of the families we visit have teens and they are the area where we always have the greatest need every year," said Jim Brown, a volunteer with the charity.
On Christmas Eve, the Magic of Christmas takes to the road delivering presents.
Calgary Transit donates 10 large buses and drivers donate their time ferrying 300 elves and 30 Santas spreading joy around the city.
The first buses roll out about 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning and do six-hour shifts until the gifts are all distributed.
"While the primary purpose of what we do is the visit, we'd like to have at least a small gift for everyone that Santa visits," Brown said.
This can be a tough time of year for charities competing for a share of Calgarians' generosity. Most charities collecting toys report donations are flat this year, though they still expect to meet demand.
The Magic of Christmas currently faces an uphill battle, but remains optimistic.
"That's part of the magic, how everything comes together," Brown said. "People appear at our door with donations every year and it really is gratifying for those of us who spend so much time trying to make it happen."
The charity hopes to deliver gifts to 5,000 Calgarians on Christmas Eve.
Those interested in making a donation to the Magic of Christmas can do so at every Fountain Tire, Auto Value Store and Little Caesars Pizza location in the city.
