Christmas hamper program in full-swing
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 01/00) - Christmas is the time to show goodwill, and lending support to charitable orgniazations like the Salvation Army is a good way to do it.
"You give without expecting something in return," said Capt. Karen Hoeft of the Salvation Army NWT Resource Centre.
"Anyone in our community may be needing a helping hand this year. People have the right to dignity, respect and choice."
So far, about 80 families and groups have joined the list of donors for Salvation Army's Adopt a Family and the Christmas hamper program.
The hampers will be filled with staples such as toilet paper, laundry detergent, and candles as well as Christmas decorations.
Donors fill the hamper according to their own financial means. They may choose to help a family of three or 10, a teenager, or a single mother.
Hoeft says the goal is to be able to offer hampers to about 350 families in Yellowknife and another 200 families in Rae/Edzo, Lutsel'ke, Fort Providence, Fort Smith, Fort Liard, Rae Lakes and Wha Ti.
With help from service groups such as the Lion's Club,the Salvation Army will coordinate packaging and distribution of the hampers.
Volunteers are filling the forms for the list of donors and recipients.
The Salvation Army will also raise funds through the Christmas Bubble Campaign to purchase items needed to fill the hampers.
The campaign begins this weekend. Last year, the Salvation Army raised about $15,000 in four weeks.
Remaining money will go towards the purchase of turkeys, vegetables and bulk food items for families in need.
"The surplus also goes to pay for all of our food, all of our soup lines throughout the year to come," Hoeft said.
Those who want to receive a Christmas hamper can contact the Salvation Army, 10 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday before mid December.
