Dear Editor,
It’s almost Christmas and most families are busy preparing for the holidays. The Huron County Christmas Bureau is again gearing up to ensure that no child is forgotten at Christmas. With the support of Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society, volunteers are working hard to provide over 1,000 children with a Christmas made merry through YOUR generosity.
The Christmas Bureau is a county-wide volunteer group that organizes five gift centres (bureaus) that distribute toys, clothing, food and food vouchers to families in our county whose parents are unable to provide these items.
There are a number of ways that YOU can participate in the 2012 Christmas Bureau campaign.
FIRST, open your heart and open your wallet. Please donate new toys and clothing, non-perishable food items or a financial gift to the local bureau in your community starting the week of Dec. 3rd. Drop boxes are also located throughout your community to help you make your donation. Many schools, churches, businesses, service groups and social clubs organize fund-raising events that help in collecting donations so let’s get creative this year.
SECOND, the gift centres (bureaus) are located in local churches and the members of these churches volunteer many hours collecting, sorting, organizing, displaying and then helping the families choose their children’s gifts. Perhaps you would like to give the gift of time to the church group in your community. You could consider organizing your neighbours, your co-workers, your sports team, your club to work together as a “Santa group” and pitch in some time to help out.
THIRD, if you are a custodial parent and live in Huron County and need help to make your Christmas merry this year, call “Christmas Central” at (519-524-7356 x 3271 or 1-800-265-5198 x3271) from Monday to Friday (Nov. 19 to Dec. 7). When you call, be sure to have ready the ages and clothing sizes of your children. You will be given an appointment during the week of Dec. 10th when you can privately choose suitable gifts for your family at the gift centre closest to your home.
Our community’s needs are great but the rewards are even greater – the opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas by sharing the joy of the season. A gift to a child is a gift to yourself.
2012 Bureau/ Gift Centres are located in:
- Clinton – Clinton Christian Reformed Church, 243 Princess St. E
- Exeter – Precious Blood Catholic Church, 200 Sanders St. W
- Goderich – Knox Presbyterian Church, 9 Victoria St. N
- Seaforth – The Agriplex , 140 Duke St. (hosted by Bethel Bible Church)
- Wingham – St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 281 Josephine Church
THANK YOU for your generosity,
Barb Hogan
