2015 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS BASKET PROGRAM

Last year the Community Christmas Basket Program helped over 320 individuals (144 families which included 114 children and 206 adults/seniors).
The combined population of Laurentian Hills and Deep River is approximately 7000. This includes the geographical area from Deux Rivières to Chalk River, the catchment area served by North Renfrew Family Services. It’s a fact that in our affluent community, one in twenty-five people are living below the poverty level of $16,000/year. There are many who do not come forward to ask for help.
The "Community Christmas Gift Basket Program" is a community sponsored and supported system of aid to those in financial need of some help to make a meaningful Christmas celebration.
For the past 23 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 program helps to ensure a fair distribution of gifts, so that some groups or individuals are not receiving duplicated gifts while others are overlooked entirely. The program is for anyone in North Renfrew (from Deux Rivières to Chalk River and Des Joachims) on limited or fixed income. Seniors, singles, families, teens on their own, those with disabilities may apply by calling 613-584-3358, Friday, November 27th, between 5:30 and 8:30 pm or Saturday, November 28th between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon.
Families receive gift certificates for Valumart and Giant Tiger, so that they may choose holiday foods according to their own families’ tastes and traditions. These are available to be picked up, along with gifts and toys, on Thursday, December 17, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the parish hall, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.
New and gently used toys can be dropped off at the Deep River Fire Hall by December 15, where they will be sorted. They will be made available for choosing on the “distribution day”, of Thursday, December 17th.
We are unable to accept stuffed toys due to environmental sensitivities.
The demographics of our community are constantly changing - in 2015 there is a greater need for gifts and toys for ages 10 to teens, especially boys, and not as much need for infant and young children toys.
Gifts for this program are donated through the angel trees that are put up in Deep River at the North Renfrew Times Office, Scotiabank, BMO Bank of Montreal, Deep River Library, Baila Fitness Studio, and St. Barnabas Anglican Church. A tree is also set up in the hallway of the Laurentian Hills Town Office at Pt. Alexander. Families and individuals may pick an “angel” from any of these locations and purchase an appropriate gift. The “angel” will specify the age and gender of the recipient.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE – on or before TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015
 Gifts should be returned to the Deep River Police Station and the Laurentian Hills Town Office no later than Tuesday, December 15th. Please don’t wrap the gifts. They are put out for the parents to choose, giving them a chance to pick something that is special for each child. You could, however, include wrapping paper and a bow for the family to wrap the gift they choose. Seniors are encouraged to choose a gift from the angel tree gifts as well.
 Gift certificates for local video stores, clothing stores or hair salons are appropriate gifts for teens and seniors, who are our least visible population.
 Pyjamas donated for children up to age 16 are collected at Northern Credit Union, Deep River and distributed through this program as well.
 Eligibility 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.
 To contribute you can write a cheque 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 adjacent to the Deep River and District Hospital, 109 Banting Drive. Your donations are the essence of this community program. The money is used to purchase the food certificates - If more is collected, 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 no later than Tuesday, December 15th.
 Or, as a social activist, encourage your church, service club, employer, bridge group, book club, Brownie/Scout Pack, sports team, etc. to make a group donation to this very worthwhile Community program.
The program is organized by volunteers of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Donations are received and administered by North Renfrew Family Services (NRFS), who issue tax receipts for each donation. NRFS co-ordinates the distribution of all contributions to ensure that there is some Christmas help for anyone in need.

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