Even though Christmas is still more than a month away, and the southeast is continuing to bask in the warm temperatures experienced so far this month, the Estevan Community Christmas Hamper Association is already taking names for potential hamper recipients.
The association has already received a few names, and committee member Heather Woodhouse is expecting this will be another busy year.
“People can apply for a hamper, or submit the name of someone that they feel is needy,” said Woodhouse, who has been involved with the association for the past 26 years, by typing the list of hamper recipients.
“If you are submitting a name, please provide us with the proper contact information, including the address and phone number, and if you are submitting somebody’s name, please make sure that they are aware you are submitting that name.”
Last year the association filled about 250 hampers, and this year they expect to see a 20 to 30 per cent increase, which would take them above the 300-hamper mark. Woodhouse stated the local economy as the reason for the increase.
Churches, service groups, businesses and individual families will fill the hampers using a common list of contents.
“This year we actually downsized the food list, which enables the different groups to take a few more hampers, using the money they have available,” said Woodhouse.
But the hampers will still include lots of food, including a turkey, vegetables, fruits, juice, coffee, tea, cereal and other items, ensuring that recipients will not only have enough food for their Christmas supper, but for several days aft
A typical small hamper now contains about $110 in products. The medium hampers have $130 worth of food, and the large hampers include about $150 worth of items.
Woodhouse noted there have been some really positive stories over the years of how the hampers have benefitted the recipients.
The deadline to apply for a hamper is Dec. 5. Applications will be accepted after the deadline, but Woodhouse is encouraging people to apply as soon as possible.
Hampers will be delivered in the week before Christmas.
The association also operates the Angel Tree, which helps local children receive toys at Christmas. The tree will be located at Walmart from Dec. 5 to 17. Volunteers are still needed to work a few of the shifts this year.
The tree will be adorned with pink angels, which are for girls, and blue angels for boys. Each angel has an age range inscribed on it. Supporters will pluck the angel from the tree, and purchase an age and gender appropriate gift.
People can also make a cash donation to the tree, so that more gifts can be purchased.
The toys will be collected and stored at the end of each day. Then, on Dec. 19 and 20, they will be spread out in the basement of St. Giles Anglican Church for a toy store.
“Everybody on the hamper list who has children can come down to what we call the toy store, and choose a toy that is more appropriate for their child, than one that we might select,” said Woodhouse. “The toys at the store are from a combination of places.”
Local businesses, community groups and individuals purchase toys to support the Angel Tree. The Estevan Fire Rescue Service has also supported the Angel Tree in the past.
Woodhouse noted that last year some children shovelled snow and used the money they received to purchase toys.
“If we are short of toys for a certain gender or age group, then we purchase toys with money that was donated in lieu of the toy,” said Woodhouse.
