The people of Fort Frances and district have shown true Christmas spirit in the past two weeks—and Family and Children’s Services has the toys to prove it!
The “Adopt an Angel” program was launched late last month to provide Christmas gifts for children receiving services from FACS, including those in foster care.
A Christmas tree was put up at SAAN with 70 paper angel ornaments, each bearing a child’s name, age, and gift suggestions. People coming into the store could choose an angel and purchase a gift for that child, then leave it at SAAN for FACS staff to collect.
Less than two weeks after its Nov. 27 launch, all but six of the 70 angels had been adopted.
“We are just so impressed and pleased with the community,” said Betty-Anne MacKintosh of FACS. “The community response has been overwhelming.”
Staff have assembled the gifts at the FACS office and will begin distribution soon. Everything from toy trucks to Barbie dolls and doll house furniture, as well as stuffed animals, winter hats, and mittens, have been collected so far.
Laura Chabot, a co-op student at FACS, also has been fundraising at Fort Frances High School, but said it was too early to know how her fellow students have been responding.
“I don’t have the pledge forms back yet,” she explained.
The “angel” tree will remain up at SAAN until the last six are adopted. If you would prefer to make a financial contribution to the program, contact Chabot at 274-7787 ext. 236.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
