Spread Christmas joy

Dear sir:
It seems like it was only yesterday that my wife and I arrived in Fort Frances and we were gearing up for the Christmas appeal 2003. Wal-Mart wasn’t even open yet and the idea of a new Canadian Tire was still in the works.
But now, only a year later, we have two beautiful new stores open for Christmas shopping and another chance to share the joy of Christmas with the needy.
We are all looking forward to the smiles, good food, lit-up houses, family times, and the expressions of love wrapped in brightly-coloured paper. It’s that joy of loving and being loved that is at the heart of Christmas.
Spreading that joy as widely as possible is what the Salvation Army will be doing over the next several weeks. Our dream is to see that no one goes without a touch of Christmas joy this holiday season.
But we cannot do it alone.
Remember, there are many ways that you can help spread Christmas joy in our community. This year, for instance, the annual Fort Frances Santa Claus parade will be held on Nov. 27.
By bringing non-perishable food items and toys to donate during the parade, you can help to fill Christmas hampers that will go to the less fortunate. Don’t forget, we’re the ones with the red buckets!
It’s not uncommon to see our well-known Salvation Army Christmas kettles at different stores during the holidays. Please help out by donating a little loose change to help us help others.
Every little bit helps, and 100 percent of the donations made to these kettles will go directly to helping the people of our own community.
We also are still looking for sponsors for both the “Sponsor-a-Family” and “Adopt-a-Family” programs. These programs are tangible ways that you can make a difference in a family’s life.
These programs are designed to assist families whose finances cannot support the added costs that Christmas can bring and/or families that are facing some sort of crisis at this time of year.
Call our office and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have about these programs.
For those of you that would like to donate some of your time to our Christmas campaign, there are ways that you can help out, too. For example, will need volunteers to help put together “Christmas Cheer Hampers.”
If you would like to man a kettle for a few hours through your business or personally, or if you would like to help out in any other way, give us a call at 274-3871.
Those of you who want to apply for a hamper can stop by the Salvation Army on Nov. 29 and take home a registration form.
Please return the registration form with the proper information and signature on Nov. 30 (also don’t forget to bring along photo identification for adults and proper identification for children).
Christmas can be a very difficult time for many, not just financially but spiritually, as well. If you are in need or just want to talk with someone, call our office and we will be glad to set up a time for you to meet with someone.
Once again this holiday season, the Salvation Army is excited about the work that the Lord is doing in our community. And we believe that we will succeed in our goal of ensuring that no one goes without a touch of Christmas joy this holiday season.
Seasons greetings,
Capts. Angel and
Marlene Sandoval
(“Compassion is
Love in Action”)