Hamper program under way
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Dec 15/00) - The list of names on the sheet behind Jerry Antoine's door is growing daily.
As of last Thursday, more than 30 families asked to be included in Deh Cho Friendship Centre's Christmas hamper program.
Last year 60 hampers were distributed in Fort Simpson, providing food and toys for families that couldn't afford them for themselves, said Antoine, the executive director of the Friendship Centre.
"It's getting bigger each year," he said of the hamper program that has been in existence for five seasons.
"There's a lot of appreciation. I guess the Friendship Centre is living up to its name, living up to the spirit of friendship."
But it's not just the Friendship Centre, Antoine said, it's a community effort. Actually, it extends beyond that. The Salvation Army sent 40 turkeys last year and more birds are on the way for the upcoming holidays. A new addition to this year's hampers will be books. The NWT Literacy Council donated two boxes full of copies of The Velveteen Rabbit.
Cate Sills, executive director of the NWT Literacy Council, said, "We wanted to do something special for Christmas and we've been working with communities to see if we could help fill their Christmas hampers."
The rest of the hampers' contents comes from donations within the community. Some of the toys are obtained through the Tracks and Trails toy drive. Of course, donations are also needed from businesses and local residents who have been quite generous in the past.
Donation boxes have been placed in several locations around the community. Non-perishable food items are needed most, Antoine said.
Volunteer Lance Ellis has been involved with the Christmas hamper program for a few years, previously through Thomas Simpson school. In the past, he said he had delivered the hampers and some thankful recipients had even tried to offer him what little cash they could spare in return.
Fellow volunteer Eliza Lafferty said she is willing to help out because giving is an important part of Christmas.
"It makes a person feel really good," said Lafferty.
