The 2013 Christmas Hamper and Gift Campaign is underway.
Applications for support through the program are available at the Sicamous and Malakwa Resource Centre locations. For information, call 250-836-3440.
Applications will be taken until Dec. 17, but are desired by the 13th. All families, individuals and seniors who feel they will struggle to provide Christmas dinner and/or gifts for their children or grandchildren are welcome to apply. There are no restrictions regarding the source of income, the and the Eagle Valley Community Support Society, which oversees the program, is well aware that many working families are struggling financially in our area.
Applications are processed with the utmost care to protect confidentiality, and hampers and gifts are picked up by appointment to contribute to providing an experience as dignified and private as possible. For those wishing to support the campaign, there are a number of ways to help.
Food, gifts and monetary donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Sicamous Resource Centre located at 1214 Shuswap Ave., or on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Malakwa Resource Centre at 3994 Malakwa Rd. Tax receipts can be issued if requested.
Pre-bagged donations of needed items can be purchased at Askew’s.
Gifts may be donated through the Christmas Angel Tree program at the Sicamous branch of the Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union. Just pick up a tag from the tree, buy a gift for the age and gender on the tag and return the gift to the tree.
Many pre-Christmas events, hockey games, etc. accept food and donations on behalf of the campaign. Bring a hat or mitts for a child to Dec. 6 Sicamous Eagles game for the Toque Toss.
The CPR Holiday Train will be making a stop at Silver Sands Road at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. Be sure to catch the beautiful train and great stage show, and support the campaign by bringing a donation for the food bank.
Thanks goes to all those who donated to the Sicamous and Swansea Point volunteer firefighters’ food and toy drive. The society is grateful for the help of the firefighters, and couldn’t get through the hamper campaign without the food and toys this wonderful event brings. A reminder to Malakwa and area residents that the Malakwa Volunteer Fire Department will hold their food and toy run on Sunday, Dec. 8.