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Adopt a Family For Christmas

For people who are already finding it hard to make ends meet, Christmas can create an extra burden, especially for families with children. Thanks to the Salvation Army, approximately 300 children in Dunnville are given the opportunity to celebrate Christmas just like everyone else every year.

"We anticipate a huge demand for our services this year," said Lynda Bain of the Salvation Army. "Everyone knows a neighbour or someone close that drives it home. We have just seen people in here who are in their mid 40s or 50s and have just a little way to go to retire and their employment has stopped and E. I. has run out and their severance pay is in litigation. Normally, it's registered clients who sign up for Christmas hampers, but sometimes lower-income families plan and are good money managers, but when it comes to Christmas, they don't have the extra funds to buy a turkey and presents. We really rely on volunteers and donations."

People who are so inclined are invited to provide a Christmas meal, gifts and groceries to brighten an otherwise bleak holiday for a struggling family. For those who don't want to follow the standard format of gift and grocery suggestions, a cash donation of $300 would amply cover the cost of adopting a family.

"It's going to be a hard Christmas for the community and in the past, whenever there's a need, the community rallies around," noted Bain. "This year, we're hoping people will experience the true spirit of giving. We'd really appreciate it if individuals or groups would take on this task. It would greatly relieve the stress on the Salvation Army's reserves. It's a hands-on opportunity for individuals, families, neighbours, businesses, groups and clubs to sponsor families in need at Christmas."

Families requesting holiday help will register for hampers on Nov. 17, 18, 24 and 25. Bain will gather all the information, and when people come in to sponsor a family, ask them which type of family they'd prefer to shop for, whether it's a single parent with infant, couple with teens, or family with both boys and girls, for example. All clients' names are kept confidential but information will be given to sponsors with regard to sizes, genders and ages so donors can shop appropriately. Donors are asked to deliver their hampers to the Salvation Army on Bridge Street on Dec. 21 from 9:30 to 11 a. m.

"Each year, I spend $7,000 to buy hampers, on top of all the donations that come in," noted Bain. "We always need baby and teen stuff. When it comes to toys, no guns or weapons will be accepted and we only accept brand new toys because these children deserve the dignity every other child receives."

Sponsored families are screened for certain criteria, and information is shared among Haldimand's network of food banks in Jarvis, Caledonia, and Cayuga, she said.

"We all belong to the Ontario Food Bank Association. We also share if anyone has extra food."

In other community projects, the Salvation Army's Mobile Outreach Vehicle has been building momentum by delivering sandwiches and drinks while driving through Dunnville each week. With the arrival of winter, hot meals like soup and chili have been added to the truck's mobile menu.

"Since we started the program in July, we have served about 360 (people)," said Bain. "We have quite a few drivers but we can always use more volunteers. They have to be trained but it's very rewarding. We have lots of husband and wife teams, so it's worked out great. They give backpacks with personal items, sleeping bags and mitts and hats. Our target group is teens on the street, but we serve everyone who comes up to the truck, including lots of children."

The goal of Salvation Army staff and volunteers is "basically to build relationships, and we help anybody in need, especially in colder weather. The volunteers have access to all community social services and emergency resources to help them."

For further information, or if you wish to sponsor a family, call 905-774-4251,ext. 25,or e-mail lyndabain@haldimand-nor folk-salvation.org

Dunnville Chronicle
Cathy Pelletier
Nov. 16, 2009

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