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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-11-25, Page 5Opinion The Huron Expositor • Novemt er 25, 2009 Page 5 Becoming a Santa will ensure Christmas Bureau opens Huron children have Christmas Dec. 7-11 at Agriplex To the Editor, Wanna be a Santa? The Huron County Christmas Bureau kick- started their planning in Septem- ber. Their goal: to ensure that no child will be without a Christmas and no parent will have to say "Sor- ry, Santa missed us this year." We can all be Santos! The Christmas Bureau is a county- wide volunteer group that organizes fivegift centres for disadvantaged families. The gifts (toys, clothes, food, food vouchers) are donated; or purchased with cash donations (for which the donor receives a tax re- ceipt). Hundreds of volunteers and do- nors participate each year and play Santa for up to a thousand children and their families. How does the Christmas Bureau work? The Christmas Bureau itself is an independent, community -wide organization, but could not function without the support of the Huron - Perth Children's Aid Society (office space, phone lines, administrative assistance), our community church- es, and you, the caring members of our community. There are actually five "bureaus" that provide for their local commu- nities each year. The gift centres are located in churches in the communi- ties and the volunteer members of these churches donate many, many hours . collecting (each community has drop boxes), sorting, organizing and displaying the gifts. This year's gift centres are: Clin- ton (Clinton United Church), Exeter (Christian Reformed Church), God- erich, (North Street United Church), Seaforth (St.. James Roman Catholic Church, at the Agriplex), and Wing - ham (Sacred Heart• Roman Catholic Church). It is no secret that Huron County has been hard hit by the economic downturn. Indeed, we may have former donors who will be recipients this year. This is a difficult role -change, but we hope that anyone in this situa- tion will remember that to give and to receive are both acts of grati- tude. How does the Christmas Bureau work for you? If you need help with your Christmas this year, call "Christmas Central" (519-524-7356 x3271 or 1-800-265-5198) from Mon- day to Friday (Nov. 30 to Dec. 11). Whenyou call, be sure to have ready the ages and sizes of your children. You will be given an ap- pointment (for the week of Dec. 14 to 18) at your closest Christmas bureau. You will privately choose suitable gifts for your family at that time. How can you help the Christmas Bureau? First, open your hearts, then open your wallets! Please do- nate new toys, new clothing, non- perishable food stuffs or money (cheques or cash to the Goderich CAS offices, clearly marked "Christ- mas Bureau"). Do keep in mind the teenagers. Gifts can be delivered to your lo- cal church gift centre or to the drop boxes between Dec. 7 and 11 so they are ready for the families' Christ- mas shopping the next week. Perhaps you would like to give the gift of time to the church group in your community. Perhaps you would consider organizing your neighbours, your work -mates, your sports team, your club, your school chums? Working together as Santa groups increases the pleasures of giving! This is an important year for all of us. The community's needs are great. The rewards are even greater — the opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas by sharing the joy of the season. A gift to a child is a gift to yourself. Gail Grant Christmas Bureau Central Committee Deportation a loss for Canada From Page 4 Muhammad's deportation has also come at a time when the Huron Business Development Corporation is teaming up with the county to de- velop a Huron Immigration Partner- ship Plan. The aim is to offset the estimat- ed 10,000 of retirements in Huron County expected over the next five years with new workers. The plan is specifically looking for entrepreneurs to set up new busi- nesses. It's too bad we just lost one. To the Editor, of someone else to the donations. Huron County Christ- Christmas Bureau. Every dollar donated mas Bureau will be The bureau will pro- goes directly to Huron open from Dec. 7-11 at vide a Christmas card County children and the Seaforth Agriplex. that lets the recipient their families. Donations can be know about the dona- Anyone who wants made as usual at the tion to local disadvan- to register for support Santa Claus parade taged children. should call the Hu - when the Seaforth Drop boxes are lo- ron County Christmas Golf and Country Club cated at various busi- Bureau between Dec. will be collecting non- nesses throughout the 1-11 at 519-524-7356 perishable items along town. ext. 3271 or 1 -800 -265 - the route from parade- The bureau is open at 5198. goers. the Agriplex from Dec. Catherine Melady You may also make 7-11 from 8:30 a.m.. to Anne Middegaal a donation on behalf 6 p.m. daily to collect St. James Church —1 o4{ Yourjob Promotion starts here in Exeter. j • • : r►�`Mit) leave home to broaden your horizons. We can help you access the online courses of Ontario's Colleges and Universities. Go to elearnnetwork.ca/exeter for more information. 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