This Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer campaign will be distributing between 130 and 170 hampers on Friday, Dec. 20, says project co-ordinator Sabrina Silvey.
Toys and gifts for 103 children from toddlers to ages 16 are also needed, Silvey says.
Given these needs in our community the Tribune/Weekend Advisor is hoping the community will once again give generously at our annual Food and Toy Drive coming up this Saturday.
“The community of Williams Lake has always been very generous in the past and we hope that people will continue to support this worthy community cause,” says Marketing Director Kathy McLean.
A total of 48 businesses have participated in our gift guide/food and toy drive program this year.
There will be one gift envelope on our Christmas tree for each family making a donation to the Tribune/Weekend Advisor food and toy drive for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer program.
Donors will also have an opportunity to put their names into a draw box to win one of five grand prizes donated by the local businesses.
The grand prizes include round trip airfare to Vancouver for two from Pacific Coastal Airlines; a rolling maple kitchen island donated by Allcraft Kitchen en’ Counters; a half-day spa package donated by Eloquence Spa; a gold and diamond necklace donated by Excelsior Jewellers; and a set of four Summit trail climber all-season tires from Sugar Cane Tread Pro.
The 11th annual Tribune Food and Toy Drive runs this Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tribune/Weekend Advisor located at 188 North First Avenue.
“I am really excited to be sharing the generostity and good will this day brings out in our community with our new team members Acting Editor Angie Mindus, Marketing Director Kathy McLean, and Evan Fentiman in production,” says publisher Lisa Bowering.
For the Christmas food hampers the Salvation Army is seeking donations of hams, turkeys, canned vegetables, fruit, candies, gravy, hot chocolate, coffee, jam and peanut butter.
The Salvation Army will also be purchasing fresh milk, margarine, potatoes, carrots, onions, yams, and turnips for the hampers. In addition, the hampers will contain cookies and pies. For regular hampers throughout the year the need is for pasta, pasta sauce, beans, canned meats and fish, and peanut butter.
In just a few hours last year the Williams Lake community contributed four Cariboo GM pick-up truck loads of nonperishable food, toys and gifts for children and teens. In addition a total of $1,013 in cheques and cash was donated during the campaign to make Christmas a little brighter for individuals and families in need.
“The Tribune/Weekend Advisor would really like to thank the many participating businesses for their generosity,” McLean says.
“Support from our local businesses and the public is a real blessing for Williams Lake in keeping with the spirit of Christmas.”