It could be a bleak winter for hundreds of Prince Edward County children.

The local Angel Tree program was organized by head angel Sue Rose and her merry band of elves each Christmas. It was supported by scores of businesses and thousands of local residents. It helped 305 local children and their families for over three decades.

It found snowsuits and winter hats handed out Christmas gifts. A holiday meal with all the fixings went to 156 families in need last year.

But Ms. Rose is retiring. And the Angel Tree sharing program as we have known it may be no more.

Due to the overwhelming demand for support in the Quinte and Northumberland areas as well as in PEC, the program will now have to stretch across the entire Hastings region, and could be restricted to children registered with the local Children’s Aid Society. That could mean about 50 local kids get help, not 300.

Executive Director Melanie Cressman confirmed last week that The Children’s Foundation will change the Angel Tree program “due to the increased need for its primary mandate, which is to support Highland Shores Children’s Aid (HSCA) families across the regions of Hastings, Northumberland, and Prince Edward County.”

The Children’s Foundation, a not-for-profit, has administered the program for a number of years.

“This modification reflects the need in our community and our commitment to providing holiday joy to more families in need and ensuring that every child in HSCA receives a special gift during this festive season,” said Ms. Cressman.

Ms. Rose was forced to give up organizing the program for health reasons. Her heart is broken at the news that Angel Tree may not be there this Christmas for the 300 county children and their families who need it.

“We really need to get the message out there now, so that the Picton Salvation Army and the food banks can start to organize and hopefully, somehow, they can bridge the gaps and help the families that are really going to need the help.”

“Looking at the prices of everything, you just know the need will be the greatest this year,” said Ms. Rose.

“Our local businesses have always supported Angel Tree and they made sure the dollars spent here went further than they might in other communities,” she added.

Representatives from the Salvation Army and the Storehouse and Picton United foodbanks said they had been made aware of the change to the existing Angel Tree program and are discussing how they will work to bridge the gaps.

“We’ve been made aware of this decision and we are certain it will impact our Christmas hamper registrations,” said Laura Holmes, of the Picton Salvation Army.

A form of the Christmas sharing program may continue this season as Ms. Cressman and Councillor Phil St. Jean were due to meet Monday to discuss possible options and a path forward that would ensure the sustainability of the program for the broader community beyond HSCA.

Stay tuned.