There’s really nothing better than doing a good deed for someone else to lift your winter blahs away. And, lucky for us, there are a lot of ways we can do that and benefit people right here in town:
- Sue’s Clothesline, seriously the champion fundraiser for the Ministerial Association’s Christmas Hampers, has all sorts of things going on. You can buy adorable and lovely little ornaments for anywhere from $1 to $10, or purchase a book about a dog, called “Ben is Gone Again”, and know that $10 of the $21 purchase price goes to the Christmas Hamper fund (and huge thanks to the author of the book for that generous offer). The silent auction is over now, but you can still make donations. In fact, up until 4:00 PM today (December 5), your donation of $1 or $2 gets you entered into the Secret Santa Draw, crammed with all sorts of local goodies.
- Speaking of the Christmas Hampers, I’ve heard that well over 400 families will need this help this year. You can help them out by donating to the gift cards that get included in the Hampers at Save-on Foods.
- And, at the Creston Valley Advance, you can make a donation to the Community Greeting Card, with all those proceeds also going to the Christmas Hampers.
- The Bargain Shop is participating in a Fill-a-Sleigh Day – 10% of all sales today, December 5, will go to the local toy drive charity (I’ve heard that’s also the Christmas Hampers, to make sure every child in Creston has something special for Christmas).
- Also, if you’re looking to make Christmas morning a little happier for a youngster in need, go to Pyramid Building Supplies and choose one of the children’s names on their Giving Tree.
- Want to help out some of our oldest and most vulnerable community members? Shoppers’ Drug Mart has a “Gift a Senior at CrestView” program so be sure to stop in there with something special. Given how isolated our seniors in care will be this year, this could make all the difference.
- The photo at the top of this page shows the gift bags – all 90 of them – that Tigz Designs has created for Seniors at Swan Valley Lodge. All ninety bags have now been purchased, so thanks to all the generous people in the community and to Tigz for taking on this service!
- Also today (December 5), the local RCMP detachment, along with fire and first responders, is holding a Cram-the-Cruiser event. They’re asking for non-perishable food or new, unopened toys, and you can drop them off at Pealow’s parking lot until 4:00 PM. Hopefully they’re bringing the biggest police cruiser they’ve got , and let’s stuff that thing as full as it can get!
- Donations to food banks are always welcome! You can do that at the local grocery stores or directly to Gleaners itself, with either a cash donation or a donation of non-perishable food items.
- Don’t forget, there are other organisations too that support the needy. Make a donation to one of the local churches to support their charitable works, such as the hot lunches and soup kitchens they provide. Drop into the local pet stores and purchase a bag of food for one of their customers in need. Make a donation to PAWS.