In just four-and-a-half hours, Aven Manor sold out its Tree of Giving holiday campaign. 

The initiative, launched Tuesday, invites community members to sponsor a senior and provide a gift for them under the Aven Christmas tree. 

In the retirement centre鈥檚 second year of the initiative, CEO Daryl Dolynny said he was 鈥渢ouched鈥� by the community鈥檚 generosity. 

Ahead of the launch, the team at Aven asked the 54 residents what they wanted for the holidays. When prospective donors emailed them, Aven replied with a resident鈥檚 request and background information on their interests to make the exchange more personal. 

鈥淣ot all of the residents have immediate family and some have no family members at all,鈥� Dolynny said, adding that a little goes a long way for the seniors. 

Along with their gifts for the residents, Dolynny said he was heartened to see many of last year鈥檚 donors throw in extra treats for recipients and even personal photos. 

鈥淎s a CEO, I walk the halls and talk to residents and a lot of them still have their photos from last year,鈥� he said.

As Aven is unable to run its usual silent auction and bake sale sale this year due to Covid, the Tree of Giving campaign is also inviting monetary donations to support recreational activities throughout the year. 

One such activity is the retirement centre's annual Christmas dinner. Though, this year, family will have to join Aven residents virtually to avoid health risks during the pandemic.

Though all residents have been accounted for with Christmas gifts, Aven will continue to accept donations until Dec. 11. 

The retirement centre is working towards raising $10,000. Dolynny said the organization is already halfway there.  

鈥淟aunching these events in the middle of crises, we really don鈥檛 know what to expect,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very thankful that the community has come out in spades for our seniors in a very tough time.鈥�