The story of The Thora Project
Our Story
The Thora Project was born from the heartfelt Christmas tradition of Thora Despres, who dedicated over 20 years to supporting local families during the holidays. Thora sought out working families in need, ensuring their children experienced the magic of Christmas.
The tradition began during Thora's time at Saputo Inc. (formerly Baxter Foods), where she connected with the community to identify families facing challenges during the holiday season. Remaining anonymous, she would purchase gifts from the children's Christmas wish lists and deliver them to parents before Christmas, so the children could wake up to presents from Santa under the tree. In addition to her personal contributions, Thora organized fundraisers, sought donations from local businesses, and rallied her coworkers, friends, and family to join her mission.
Through her efforts, Thora brought joy to nearly 100 children across Saint John, NB.
After retiring in 2021, following the closure of Saputo's Saint John dairy plant, Thora’s legacy inspired her children—Andrew Despres and Melissa Garland—and her niece, Julie Garnett, to launch The Thora Project in 2024. We are committed to honoring Thora's spirit and ensuring her dedication to giving continues to bring joy to families for years to come.