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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-10-21, Page 15Christmas Bureau getting ready for 2009 holiday season in Huron County Gerard Crease signal -star staff With the wind down of summer and the harvest season, the Huron County Christmas Bureau is gear- ing up for the holidays to once again give the gift of opportunity to Huron County families. The bureau received their first major contribution of the sea- son earlier in the month, when a Londesborough baseball team do- nated more than $2,300. Christmas Bureau coordinator Joan VanDenBroeck said the bu- reau helps families in need in any way possible - through gifts, cloth- ing and even food certificates - to make sure no children go without. She said while the bureau had been expecting a spike in numbers for 2009 following Huron County's manufacturing dropout, the full ef- fect of the recession has yet to ma- terialize. "We give countless gifts to about 1,000 children each year," she said. "It's up or down by about 20 kids each year, but for the last decade it's been pretty stable." Part of the reason for that, she said, is because time and again, people in Huron County are quick to extend help to their friends, neighbours and especially, their ex- tended family. "We count on the community for the resources to pay the bills at the end of the year," she said. "When times get tough in Huron County, people pick up the slack." The Christmas Bureau got its start in the 1960s, when church of- ficials at the time sought to com- bine their services and offer their help beyond the congregation to anyone who needs it. Today, there are five towns throughout the county that act as hosts for the Christmas Bureau, and host churches rotate every two years. This year's host churches are: North Street United in Goder- ich; St. James Roman Catholic ' in Seaforth; Clinton United, Exeter Christian Reformed and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Wingham. Each of those locations is set up as "a mini -shopping mall," ac- cording to VandenBroeck, where parents come and pick out gifts for their children. Filling ,the shelves of that mini - mall are donors throughout each community. People can contribute money or gifts, however, VandenBroeck said age-appropriate gifts are al- ways sought-after. The best way to pick something out for a child you haven't met, she said, is to take a kid along while shopping. "Chances are if they like it, so will the other child," she said. However, she noted it is the par- ents who choose the gifts for their own children - something the bu- reau prides itself on. "Parents know best what their kids will appreciate," she said. "Not every little girl wants a doll." The buread is manned entirely by volunteer staff and relies solely on donations to distribute goodwill across Huron County. Giving is cyclical, she said, and even a small contribution now can make all the difference for a needy family at Christmas. She said there have been many families who once relied on the Christmas Bureau who are now regular contributors. Sometimes, she said, people just need a little bit of help to get go- ing. VandenBroeck said when money is given to the bureau there are two expectations for it - that it be used wisely and that it be used gener- ously. "We are acting on behalf of the people who give," she said. "Using it the way they wish it to be used." VandenBroeck has been active in the bureau for many years and said as generations change so do the things they value. What might have been the 'it' thing with kids ten years ago may have taken a back seat as the digital age. swept in. However, there is one common- ality throughout the years - Huron County is full of goodwill. "I find the Christmas service very humbling," said VandenBroeck. "To see how people respond to this - it renews all your faith in the goodness that surrounds us." All donations must be delivered to the host churches no later than the week of Dec. 7-11. To find out more about the Hu- ron Christmas Bureau, its locations or their list of needs, call 519-524- 7356 or 1-800-265-5198. Families can be registered be- tween December 1-11. MIDNIGHT MAIDNESS "The Great Giveaway Sale" 5O(/c OFF FALL, STOCK rday. October 24th and continues Starts Saturday @ 10:00 am I Summer Fashions hank you to all our loyal and faithful, customers. pen until Mid*Latae November d 1, . 1 1 Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - Page 15 Great Cars. Great Rates. Ask about our great daily, weekly and monthly rates! Call or visit us today! Highway 21 south of Goderich at Hyundai of Goderich. 519-524-1795 116. NAM' !WarReY7tc?/ A Licensee of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. 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