We’re into the final push for several Christmas charities in the area.
On the Sunshine Coast, Elves Club president Lynn Nestman says after lower than expected totalsĀ for their annual telethon, they had a big spike in donations over the weekend.Ā “On Saturday (Dec. 14) our depot brought in almost 12 thousand dollars,” she says. “(that’s) almost exactly what we did for the telethon.Ā Wow. You gotta love that.”
Nestman says the Elves Club depot at the Sunnycrest Mall is open through December 17th (cash and babyĀ food at the two biggest needs right now),Ā then the operation shifts to Christian Life Assembly forĀ hamper packing.Ā She also says they’re looking for volunteers to help unload a semi-trailer of food starting at 9am December 17th.Ā If you can help out call 604-886-3966.
MondayĀ at Hamperville in Nanaimo they were unloading the Big Boy’s Toys Mo Ho, which rolled up to drop off 4,361 kilograms food as the charity heads into its final push. They are also donating 862 kilograms of turkeys, and they’re dropping off 1,755 kilograms of food to the food bank in Parksville.
“People have really connected with what we do here and they want to bring food to the motor home,” said Larry Polick, Manager of Big Boy’s Toys. “It’s a bit overwhelming.”
The 18th is the last day to register for a full hamper, and distribution begins on Thursday.
Salvation Army Kettle campaigns are alsoĀ into their final week. In Nanaimo, coordinator Dawne Anderson saysĀ they’re aboutĀ 8-thousand dollars below this point last year, mainly because they’ve been short volunteers.Ā But she’s hopeful they can hit their 200-thousand dollar goal.Ā You can call 250-740-1004 e-mail [email protected] to lend a hand.
The Salvation Army on the Sunshine Coast is also short of their goal, and putting out the call for more volunteers.Ā Coordinator Miriam Leslie says they’re really hoping for more people to take a shift at either London Drugs, IGA or Canadian Tire. Call 604-886-3680 or e-mail [email protected]
