Fill a Box with Cheer: Help Local People in Need this Christmas
Fill a Box of Cheer: The Local Option
Two things happened.
It all started earlier last year when we read a CBC news article about the Operation Christmas Child program. Volunteers were being made to sign a statement of faith that they were against legal abortions for women and same-sex marriage.
Yes, this is still happening!
We had participated in this program for several years, but learning this new information, it didn’t sit well with us.
Then, through Valley Family Fun, I was constantly getting emails asking how people could help others locally during the holiday season. With a 25% poverty rate in the Kentville area alone, we decided to shift focus and help those in need right here in our own backyards.
Enter my friend Candy.
I have known Candy O’Brien forever and a day, and have always admired the great work she did with the Evangeline Club (A recreation society which provides mental health consumers and those who feel isolated with social programs, resources, and support) and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Kings County Branch.
We sat down and came up with our own program called Fill a Box of Cheer: The Local Option.
During the holidays, we have many great organizations in the Valley that help children and families in need. Salvation Army, Kinsmen, Lions and Christmas Angels, to name a few.
However, there are people who aren’t part of a family and fall through the cracks and often get missed during the holidays.
We decided to target a few organizations. The boxes will be divided equally between Kings County organizations including
Canadian Mental Health Association
Here’s how to help
Start with any sized box and fill it with a combination of any of the following items for adults:
- Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, small packs of tissues, feminine hygiene products, razors
- Clothing: socks, slippers, gloves, hats, mittens
- Stationery: pencils, pens, notebook, coloured pencils, markers
- Gifts: instant coffee, mug, food gift cards, candy, gum, cards, adult colouring books
You don’t even have to fill a full box! If you have partial items you want to donate, we will distribute them amongst the other boxes!
Filled, unwrapped boxes can be dropped at any of the following locations:
- Berwick Recreation Department, 236 Commercial Street (Berwick Town Hall)
- Canning Village Office, 977 J Jordan Rd, Canning
- Holiday Cheer Workshop, County Fair Mall, New Minas (former Wicker Emporium location)
- Kentville Town Hall, 354 Main Street
- Louis Millet Community Complex, 9489 Commercial Street, New Minas
- PeopleWorx Society, 11 Opportunity Lane, Coldbrook
- Port Williams Village Office, 1045 Main Street, Port Williams
- Wolfville Town Hall, 359 Main St, Wolfville
This year, we have been given an empty space in the County Fair Mall to store, sort and pack all of our boxes! We will have a few drop off days at the mall, and then call for volunteers in early December to help sort and wrap!
For more information, just email me at info@valleyfamilyfun.ca
Last year we collected over 500 boxes! I’m sure this year will be even bigger!
Deadline: December 5, 2018.
