Duane Hicks
While the local Salvation Army began handing out Christmas hampers to district families today, they’re still in need of more support this season—and it’s not too late to help them help others.
Capt. Angel Sandoval said this morning that the Salvation Army needs help with its Christmas kettles as more volunteers desperately are needed to rings the bells.
Anyone wanting to man the kettles is asked to sign up for two-hour shifts if possible. Businesses are encouraged to get involved by having staff take turns ringing the bells, as are service clubs, churches, and other organizations.
The kettles will be out until Christmas Eve.
Just as importantly, people are encouraged to give any money they can spare when they come across the red kettles as 100 percent of these donations will go directly to helping the people of our own community.
They even can write cheques, put them into the kettles, and save themselves a stamp if they so choose, added Capt. Sandoval.
Those interested in volunteering with the kettle campaign are asked to call the Citadel (274-3871) as soon as possible.
About 200 district families, living from Rainy River to Fort Frances to Mine Centre, will be getting Christmas hampers this year. The Salvation Army gave out about 40 hampers today, and is expected to give out another 30 on the weekend and the remaining 130 on Monday.
Any volunteers wanting to help pack hampers can come by the former St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the location for hamper pick-up, on Saturday and lend a hand.
While the Salvation Army has seen some strong support, such as when the local Wal-Mart donated 125 hams earlier this week for this year’s food hampers, Capt.
Sandoval estimated they’re currently only 60 percent of the way in meeting the needs of the community.
The Salvation Army will try to ensure all of its hamper recipients get what they need, but Capt, Sandoval stressed that doesn’t mean all the bills for that food are paid—and more money is needed.
“From the bottom of our hearts, the Salvation Amy and all our workers and volunteers, we wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the public,” said Capt. Sandoval. “And to all those who are lonely, there is a place where they can come and talk and have a good friendship, and that place is the Salvation Army.”
To make a donation, give at a red kettle over the next few days, drop by the Citadel (316 Victoria Ave.), or call 274-3871.
UNFC help
Meanwhile, Rachel Spuzak of the United Native Friendship Centre’s homelessness outreach program said the community has been supportive in enabling it to help out more than 10 families so far this Christmas season.
She explained the UNFC doesn’t have a hamper program per se, but does offer an “Adopt-A-Family” program, whereby individuals and groups can help out a specific family in need during the holidays.
UNFC staff identifies families in need, not only from its homelessness outreach program but all of their programs (since the UNFC refers less fortunate families to the Salvation Army hamper program first, some of the ones they end up helping out are those who were not successful in qualifying for a hamper from the Salvation Army).
They then tell the interested sponsors details, such as if it is a single-parent family, how many children are in the family, their ages, etc., to help them buy for the family.
Sponsorship usually includes food for a Christmas meal and sometimes breakfast, as well as gifts, but the extent of generosity is up to the adopters. When the sponsors get together all of the items for their adopted family, they turn them over to the UNFC staff, who, in turn, deliver them to the family.
“There is a lot of support within the community. You’d be amazed by how much a family does get—they get quite a bit of stuff,” noted Spuzak.
Many children in need also will get toys thanks to initiatives like the Fort Frances Jr. Sabres’ toy drive several weeks ago.
Spuzak said organizations, like La Verendrye Hospital and Seven Generations, and families wanting to help others continue to call, but as she added, “there’s always room for more,” and the UNFC is hoping to help as many people as it can this Christmas.
Those interested in helping local families in any way can drop by the UNFC or call Spuzak at 274-8541.
