HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-12-24, Page 17Huron Christmas bureau,
Collecting and distributing toys, clothes
and food to children and families who need
help with Christmas is what Family and
Children's Services (FCS) of Huron
County's Christmas Bureau is all about.
Once again FCS is operating the
Christmas Bureau through a network of
volunteer groups and individuals across the
county. This centralized service for
families began more than 25 years ago to
provide consistency and confidentiality to
families and to avoid duplication in
services.
The Christmas Bureau is operated in the
five major county towns, namely, Clinton,
Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth and Wingham.
The 1986 Bureau is co-ordinated by Mrs.
Pauline Lingard of Grand Bend who
oversees the total program and provides
consultation for local groups in order that
there is some uniformity of service to
families in the county. She is assisted by
In Clinton, the Christmas Bureau was
organized this year by volunteer workers at
the Christian Reformed Church.
Lingard noted, "The ladies who operate
the bureaus work very hard, but you can see
that they feel that this is a very worthwhile
effort."
Along with giving gifts to needy children
and families, Family and Children's Ser-
vices also has a network of knitters
throughout the county who work to make
mittens for children. More than 1,000 pairs
of mittens will be distributed this
Christmas.
The Christmas Bureau is a location where
people drop off donations for children and
families who may be less fortunate than
themselves at Christmas. It is often very
Mrs. Margaret Allan of Clinton who pro-
vides volunteer secretarial services which
allow FCS to request donations and goods
and money.
CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1986—Page 17
a labor of love
difficult for parents to admit that they can-
not provide the extras for their children at
this special time of the year. The Christmas
Bureau offers families a private confiden-
tial service through a local volunteer group
which will help them select a suitable gift
and a new piece of clothing for their child.
As well, families are offered canned goods
and staples to help with Christmas dinner.
Throughout the year, FCS provides wool for
volunteers to knit mitts so children can have
warm hands on cold winter days.
Lingard explained that families who
receive help from the Christmas Bureau are
referred to FCS in a number of ways such as
calling FCS themselves or being referred by
other agencies, social workers and the
public health unit.
"The Christmas Bureau is not exclusively
for clients of FCS. The project is directed at
anyone who needs assistance at
Christmas," Lingard said.
During the week of December 15-20,
families who are on the Christmas Bureau
list receive individual appointments to
select gifts for their child and food for the
family.
"We don't identify the family as needing
this or taking that (during the distribution
time). Instead, we see it as alternative
shopping. Our goal is to provide each child
Filter
Queen
"IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN VARNA"
482-7103
appy
Hoijiays!
All dressed up and ready to go on stage, these Grade 1B students from Huron Centennial
School practiced a scene from A Beary Christmas prior to making their appearance at
the Christmas concert on December 17. They are (left) Megan Ratcliff, Paul Cooper,
Jamie Dick and Lori Collins. (David Emslie photo)
Mcil3r
distw's
THE BEST OF THE HOLIDAY
SEASON TO YOU AND YOURS
FROM ALL OF US AT THE
CLINTON FARM MARKET
Morris and Anne Roberts
and Barb
Betty, August, Florence,
Jennifer, Ernie, Scott
BAKERY: Murray, Jean, John
PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL BE
CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY & BOXING DAY
DECEMBER 25 & 26
THANKS,
FRIENDS,
FOR YOUR
CONTINUED
BUSINESS.
RAW ' POSTMA
CUSTOM' BUILDING
R.R. 5. CLINTON
482-3658
warn a new toy, a new piece of clothing and a
couple pair of mitts. Canned goods to aug-
ment the holiday meals are also available,"
Lingard said. She added that each group in
the five towns follow this basic guideline and
that helping a family beyond this point was
at their own sense of discretion.
Last year, 300 Huron County families
were helped with Christmas by the
Christmas Bureau's in the five towns.
Each year the number of families requir-
ing help from the Christmas Bureau
changes according to their individual needs.
FCS hears annually from parents who wish
to donate after receiving or who let them
know that while they needed help last year,
this year they are able to provide for their
families themselves. Local groups who
manage the project throughout the county
are rewarded by the appreciation of moms
and dads when they realize that their
children will have gifts under the tree on
Christmas morning and good things to eat
on that special day.
Financial contributions can be made at
any time to Family and Children's Services,
46 Gloucester Terrace, Goderich, Ontario
N7A 1W7. FCS also works hard to ensure
that everyone who makes a donation is pro-
perly acknowledged including providing
-receipts for income tax purposes.
May the Peace and Joy
of Christmas
Remain in your heart all year.
DeJong
Auto Service
Jim and Brenda
R.R. 1, Bruceffieid 482-5071
Our prescription for a
great holiday: joy, love,
health and laughter...
along with our thanks.
o e.
We'd like to take time from all the
festivities to offer our best wishes for you
and yours. May peace and joy abound
throughout the year.
Seas 'd 99'e' & 7
NOTICE OF HOLIDAY STORE HOURS:
rib: Our Valued Customers,
Wednesday, December 24th Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, December 25th, Christmas Day Closed
Friday, December 26th, Boxing Day Closed
Saturday, December 27th Open 8 a.m. - 12 noon
Monday, December 29th Open 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30th Open 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 31st Open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday, January 1st, New Years Closed
Friday, January 2nd Inventory Closed
Saturday, January 3rd Inventory Closed
CLINTON FARM NARKET
::iT
212 Victoria St, (Hwy. 4 South) Cli'ntorf
OPEN: 7 DAYS A WEEK; NEON: TUES:W D. 8 AM -7 PM; THURS. & Pitt. s AM-9PM
SATURDAY -SUNDAY 9 AM -6 PM
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