2007 COMMUNITY
CHRISTMAS BASKET PROGRAM:
See the many ways you can help
Questions and Answers
Who gets the help?
Last year the Community Christmas Basket Program
helped 120 families, comprised of 187 adults and seniors and 134
children, totaling 321 people.
The combined population of Laurentian Hills and Deep
River is 7000. This includes the geographical area from Deux
Rivičres to Chalk River, the catchment area served by North Renfrew
Family Services.
It’s astounding that in our affluent community, one
in twenty-five people are living below the poverty level of
$16,000/year. This does not include the people who do not come
forward to ask for help. Many people live well below that
government statistic, e.g. a single person living on a disability
pension receives $11,748/year; a single Ontario Works’ recipient
receives $6,480/year and a senior collecting only Old Age Security
receives $5665/year. All of these examples are well below what even
the government depicts as “poverty”.
In our community poverty looks very different from
large inner city visuals. Our poor live in our neighbourhoods, go
to our schools and churches, and play with our children. This must
make poverty even more exceptionally difficult as parents struggle
so much to help their children fit in. Visuals can be very
deceiving.
An attitude that is prevalent is that people on
social assistance are lazy, that they all smoke and drink and then
have no money left over to put food on the table or clothes on their
kids’ backs, or they take advantage of the services that are
provided. There are always those who fit these profiles, not
through any fault of the children, but people living in poverty
didn’t choose that lifestyle because it’s profitable! It’s life
circumstances … no one is exempt- accidents, divorce, working poor,
born with mental or physical disabilities, etc. As a community we
all need to take part in providing inclusion for all members of Deep
River and Laurentian Hills, especially the children. If we are not
part of the solution, then we are part of the problem.
What exactly is the “Gift Basket” program?
The Gift Basket program is a community sponsored and
supported system of aid to those in need of some help to make a
meaningful Christmas celebration.
Is this a new program?
No, for the past 15 years the Community Christmas
Basket Program has been running as a coordinated community effort,
tying together the various charitable initiatives of several service
groups, churches, clubs, businesses and individuals.
This system is more cost and time efficient, and
helps to ensure a fair distribution of gifts, so that some groups or
individuals are not receiving duplicated gifts while others are
overlooked entirely.
Who runs this program?
The program is organized by volunteers of Beta Sigma
Phi sorority. Donations are received and administered by North
Renfrew Family Services, who issue tax receipts for each donation.
So does this mean that the Sorority & North Renfrew Family
Services (NRFS) are competing for the same donations?
Not at all. On the contrary, NRFS
co-ordinates the distribution of all contributions to ensure that
there is some Christmas help for anyone in need. Of course, NRFS
also welcomes general donations for on-going support of their
counseling and emergency services.
What about money?
Cash donations are essential to this community
program. The cash donations are used to pay for the food
certificates, so that the more collected, the more families can be
helped.
Even a small donation from every family would make a
tremendous total for those in need. Of course, businesses and
corporate donations are also extremely welcome. Tax receipts will
be issued by North Renfrew Family Services.
What about the toys contributed to the Fire Department?
New and gently used toys can be dropped off at the
Deep River Fire Hall, where they will be sorted. They will be made
available for choosing on the “distribution day”, of Wednesday,
December 19th. We are unable to accept stuffed toys due
to environmental sensitivities.
My church fills Christmas stockings for children. Where are
they used?
The filled stockings are part of the same program and
distributed in the same way.
How is Northern Credit Union involved:
Pajamas donated for children up to age 16 are
distributed through this program.
Will there be angel trees this year?
Yes, the Deep River Police Department will have trees
at Curves Weight Loss and Exercise Clinic, at BMO Bank of Montreal,
Northern Credit Union, Scotiabank. The Ontario Provincial Police
will set up a tree in the Library at Pt. Alexander in the Laurentian
Hills Town Office, and St. Barnabas Anglican Church. Families and
individuals may pick an “angel” from any of these locations and
purchase an appropriate gift. The “angel” will specify the age and
sex of the recipient. Gifts should be returned to the Deep River
Police Station and the Laurentian Hills Town Office no later than
Friday, 2007 December 14th.
Should I wrap the gifts I’m giving?
Please don’t. All the gifts donated are put out for
the parents to choose, giving them a chance to pick something
equivalent that is special for each child. You could, however,
include wrapping paper and a bow for the family to wrap the gift
they choose.
What about gift certificates?
Gift certificates from video stores, clothing stores
or hair salons are appropriate gifts for teens and seniors, who are
our least visible population.
This is called a gift basket program. Does this mean that
food is a suitable contribution?
No, food is not part of the distribution effort.
Families are given gift certificates for ValuMart and Giant Tiger,
so that they may choose holiday foods according to their own
families’ tastes and traditions. Donations of non-perishable food
items are always welcome at the local Food Bank.
I don’t live in the town of Deep River. Can I still apply for
a basket?
The mandate of North Renfrew Family Services provides
help to those who live between Chalk River and Deux Rivičres. Any
family or individual in need in this area may apply for a basket.
How and when do I apply?
To apply, phone 584-3358, between 5:30 and
8:30 pm, Friday evening, 2007 December 7th, or Saturday morning,
December 8th., between 9 am and 12 noon.
Is the program only for families with young children?
Not at all. Seniors, singles, families, teens on
their own, those with disabilities, anyone with limited or fixed low
income may apply.
Who decides who gets the help?
Decisions are made by the staff of North Renfrew
Family Services, in consultation with other social service agencies,
based on their knowledge of the community they serve.
When and where will things be distributed?
People must call to pre-register so that they may
pick up their certificates and gifts on Wednesday, December 19th,
between 11 am and 2:30 pm, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Hall,
Highway 17, Deep River.
So, how can I be a part of this Christmas service program?
There are several ways you can contribute. Write a
cheque and send it to North Renfrew Family Services (mark it “Gift
Basket Program”) and mail to Box 1334, Deep River. Cash can be
dropped off at the NRFS office in the medical building, 109 Banting
Drive. These donations are the essence of this community program.
The money is used to purchase the food certificates, so the more
collected, the more can be helped.
For further personal involvement,
choose an “angel”, fill a stocking, or buy a new toy and drop it off
at the Fire Department. Or, as a social activist, encourage your
church, service club, employer, bridge group, book club, Brownie
Pack, sports team, etc. to make a group donation to this very
worthwhile Community program.
11 Nov 07
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