– I think it is very sad to think that so many asked for help so quickly. It shows how many in society do not feel so well, and it is extra painful to think about now that Christmas is approaching.
Sakshi Malhotra (26) tells Dagbladet. She has just let us into her home on Skøyen in Oslo. The entire living room floor is covered with over 200 gifts, which will be sent to 54 different individuals and families in Norway.
– I had not imagined that this would be so big. I was actually on Finn.no to look for a living room table. Then I saw that I could post an ad to give away gifts. So I posted the ad last night. The next day I had twelve requests. They continued to flow in.
MANY GIFTS: Sakshi Malhotra (26), sister Stuti Malhotra-Gunro and friend Karin Allander pack Christmas presents for people with bad advice. She has the help of Stuti Malhotra-Gunro and Karin Allander. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Sakshi’s post on Finn.no is called “Do you need help for Christmas – a helping hand for Christmas”. There, Sakshi writes that she wants to help those who need a little extra help in the run-up to Christmas, and who may not be looking forward to Christmas.
“I can help buy Christmas presents for children, food or something else that should be needed. Christmas for me is about unity, love and sharing joy with those around them, so I want to contribute so that more people can feel the Christmas spirit, and help those who may need it! If there is something I can contribute to your / their Christmas celebration, feel free to get in touch and I will try to help as best I can! ”.
NEW SANTA CLAUS? Sakshi Malhotra (26) sits on the floor and packs Christmas presents for people with bad advice. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Stock Christmas dinner
This week, she has sent gifts to 54 people, or families, who have come to her with Christmas gift wishes. Most of those who have approached her are families with young children.
Wednesday night was spent on a very special gift. She made Christmas food for a family who have never eaten Norwegian Christmas food before. She and some friends made a traditional rib dinner for the family who asked to try Norwegian Christmas food.
GIFT SPRAY: Sakshi Malhotra has spent a lot of time in the run-up to Christmas collecting presents. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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– Some do not get anything
– More people will see what you do here, what do you hope it will lead to?
– I hope it leads to more people seeing what is happening in our society. That those who are luckier than others have the opportunity to give. We are talking about ten kroner, 50 kroner. Use the local community and try to get such a splice, where you can help people who need it.
– There are so many people who need it at a time like this, at least at Christmas time. There you see extra love around you in family and gifts, it is very much with some, but then there are some who do not get anything. So let’s share a little.
– Has anyone made a special impression on you?
– Yes, there are many. But especially someone who contacted me yesterday, wrote that she appreciated what I did and that she will do the same herself, when she has the opportunity.
DONATION: Ringo toy store in Oslo donated gifts to Sakshi. Photo: Sondre Andreas Wedøe Nodland / Dagbladet
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Collected 20,000
Dagbladet heard about Sakshi’s attempts to help as many people as possible through Instagram.
In the last week, she has used the story function where she asks her friends on social media if they have any money to ignore, so that she can buy gifts for those who can not afford it themselves. The response from her friends has really paid off.
– It has been huge. I am very grateful and feel very lucky to have the friends I have. There are about 45 pieces that have tipped me, and I have been and picked up gifts from many, who have large bags of gifts to give away. And then we are talking about clothes in good condition, not old worn clothes.
She says that she has collected over 20,000 kroner from her friends, in addition to donations from the toy store Ringo at the Colosseum center.
– Part of the money goes to children’s toys, and clothes for both children and adults. Well over half are issued in the form of gift cards that can be used at grocery stores. This way you can choose for yourself what you need most, says Sakshi.
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– Means everything
When Sakshi started his project, he approached a number of store chains to ask for donations.
The only ones who answered her were the Ringo toy store at the Colosseum center, which offered to bid away a number of toys. Sakshi also receives sponsorship of all packaging, shipping, clothing and shoes from the E-commerce group.
Dagbladet follows Sakshi into the store in Oslo, where she meets general manager Alex Krogh. He knows how much some toys can mean to hopeful children.
– We are very aware that there are some children and adults who may not have the opportunity to give such large, nice and beautiful gifts, so then we can give something. For us, it may not be the biggest thing in the big picture, but for the children who get it here, it means everything.
CONTRIBUTES: Alex Krogh found a number of bags of toys that were given to Sakshi, so that she could give more gifts to the families with children, who have approached her. Photo: Sondre Andreas Wedøe Nodland / Dagbladet
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Krogh says that he hopes many can contribute a little more this Christmas.
– If you add up all the small things, it becomes a very large total.
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