The Citizen, 2007-11-29, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2007.
Letter
Salvation Army going strong
THE EDITOR,As Dec. 1 approaches, we inHuron County anticipate holidaygatherings, feasts of plenty to
celebrate the season, and the
opportunity to give and receive gifts
among our family and friends.
During the month of December, we
have the privilege of counting our
blessings and recognizing that we
have won the jackpot of life.
The beginning of December marks
another anniversary around the
world. It is International AIDS Day.
This day acknowledges the disease
that has devastated many countries
in the Third World, and continues to
infect and affect millions at an
alarming rate. In sub-Saharan
Africa, every country is at war with
the AIDS epidemic.
When we think of this horrible
disease, we cannot help but throw
our hands up in despair. This
scourge has left countless children
without parents, and robbed many
African countries of their educatedpopulations. In places where poverty, poorsanitation and lack of education are
the hallmarks of society, AIDS
seems un-stoppable.
On a recent trip to Zambia,
members of Clinton United Church
observed that in many destitute
homes, “all that was missing was the
Hellfire”. Parents were ill, children
were hungry and grandparents were
burdened with the responsibility of
caring for multiple generations.
Often, small children were seen
carrying babies on their backs,
clearly taking on adult
responsibilities before the age of
eight.
For the last two years, the
residents of Huron County have
been helping to turn the tide of
despair and hopelessness. Children
in Ng’Ombe Compound, one of the
worst slums in the city of Lusaka,
are being sent to school, where they
are fed and clothed, and givenpsycho-social support. The KondwaPre-School and the Flying AngelsSchool take only orphans and
vulnerable children and between the
two schools, are caring for over one
thousand pupils.
In the midst of dust and
desperation, it is a joy to see the
smiles on the faces of these beautiful
children. So little makes them
happy, and neighbours and friends
all over Huron County have helped
to create those cheerful grins.
In January, 2008 a new school
year begins in Zambia. There are 35
bright-eyed six-year-olds eager to
begin Grade 1. Other groups of
children, sponsored during the last
two years, are keen to continue their
education. School supplies, lunch
food, teachers salaries and funds for
life's basic necessities are needed to
support the AIDS orphans of
Ng’Ombe.
Pastor Benard Sakala, the
Headmaster of Flying AngelsSchool, calls the funds from Canadaa miracle and is overwhelminglygrateful for our support.
While it takes $100 to send a child
to school for a year, any amount will
be gratefully received to help the
families of Ng’Ombe. Through the
magic of bank cards, every donation
goes directly to Zambia. There are
no administrative fees, and tax
receipts will be issued for all
donations of $20 or more.
Donations, with Africa Project onthe memo line, may be sent toClinton United Church, Box 204,Clinton, ON, N0M 1L0. For further
information about this project, please
contact jessbokhout@yahoo.ca or
mcbokhout@tcc.on.ca.
Sincerely,
Helena McShane & Maarten
Bokhout
40860 Walton Rd.,
Box 856, Clinton
519-523-9734.
Letter to the editorCouple seeks help for Africa Project
THE EDITOR,
After 125 years in Canada and
121 years in Wingham the local
Salvation Army is still going strong
especially at Christmas time as it
endeavours to help individuals and
families who are struggling to make
ends meet.
Christmas time is especially hard.
It can be a very lonely and
discouraging time and that’s why
the Salvation Army does what it
does.
As our slogan says Giving
Hope Today, we can offer hope to
others because of the generous
support of members of the
communities within this area,
whether it’s the businesses,
churches, schools, organizations
and groups, plus of course the
numerous individuals.
So if you live anywhere within
the Ripley to Fordwich or Kinloss
to Walton and Ethel area we are
here to try to assist.
The Christmas hamper
applications are ready and can be
picked up from the Thrift Store in
Wingham commencing Dec. 1 and
must be returned by Dec. 14. Two
days have been set aside when the
applications can be completed in
the Community & Family
Services/Foodbank office. They are
Dec. 5 from 4 – 7 p.m. and Dec. 6
from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Take a moment and think what
it would be like if you were not
able to give your children a
present on Christmas Day, and if
there was no aroma of the
Christmas dinner spreading
throughout the home.
Poverty is present in the rural
areas as it is in the cities. It doesn’t
appear as prevalent because we
don’t see people sleeping on the
streets, but the needs of the
individuals are just the same, so
let’s make Christmas 2007 a special
time.
What can we all do? Toys can be
donated through many sources such
as the Optimist’s Candles for Kids
trees located in Wingham, The
One’s Stuff a Stocking, or the
Saan’s toy drive. Mittens etc
through the Lucknow Sentinel
Mitten Tree, plus numerous other
groups ideas.
Food, toy and financial donations
can be dropped off anytime during
business hours at the Wingham
Thrift Store. Financial donations
can also be mailed to the Salvation
Army, P.O. Box 610, Wingham, ON
N0G 2W0.
One question that we are asked is
do we accept referrals? Yes we
do.
Several agencies and groups
make contact with us because there
are individuals and families who
will not apply for one reason or
another.
So let’s put smiles on people’s
faces once again this year so they
can have a great Christmas.
One area that we are always
looking for volunteers for is with
the familiar Salvation Army red
Christmas Kettles located at the
local grocery stores, if you can
spare a few hours give us a call, or
drop by the Thrift Store to check
out the Christmas Kettle schedule.
The Salvation Army is also
planning once again this year to
enter a float in the Brussels parade
Dec. 1 and will be available to
collect food items.
If you need additional
information feel free to contact us
at one of the following tele-
phone numbers 519-357-1951 or
519-357-1387 and thank you for
your ongoing support.
We never take the trust you place
in The Salvation Army for granted,
because it’s your donations that
make it all possible.
Major Neil Voce,
Salvation Army Wingham.
Unique works of art
Gourmet foods
Gift baskets
398 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4276
Deer Widow Weekend
NO TAX
Friday, November 30
to Sunday, December 2
Christmas Hours
Mon. - Sat. 10 am - 5:30 pm
Sun. 12 noon - 4:00 pm
for your shopping convenience
* Open Friday evening
November 30 until show time
Luann’s Country Flowers
& Gifts
2 locations to serve you
Blyth 519-523-4440
Goderich 519-440-0987
December ~ Open 7 days a week
Mon. - Fri. 9:30 - 5:30
Sat. 9:00-5:00, Sun. 12 noon - 5:00
Enjoy Deer Widow Weekend in Blyth
NO TAX
Friday, November 30th ’til 8 pm
December 1st and 2nd
(some exclusions apply ~ see store for details)
❅
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Deer Widow’s Weekend
Attention All Ladies
While the men are out
hunting stop in and shop at
The Gift Cupboard
Reg. $16.99
Sale $12.99
Large selection
of prints - seasonal
& every day from
$11.99 & up
414 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4299
No Tax Days
Friday, November 30 &
Saturday, December 1
Open Friday ’til 8 pm and Sat. ’til 5 pm
Free gift with
purchase to the
first 15 customers
Fri. & Sat.
Check out
all our unique
Christmas
tin work
J o i n u s
f o r
h o t c i d e r
& t r e a t s
Beautifulpkgs. ofChristmaspotpourri
SWEETS N’ TREATS
Great variety of
Christmas Gift Ideas!
Something for Everyone!
November 16-18
* Samples * Door Prizes
Friday 9-9,
Saturday & Sunday 9-6
14 B-Line Road, Wingham
519-357-3663
MUNICIPALITY OF
CENTRAL HURON
NOTICE - PUBLIC MEETING
RE: ROAD NAME CHANGES
A public meeting will be held on Monday December 10, 2007
at 7:00 p.m. to consider the following road name changes:
- John Street in Auburn would change to John's Avenue
- King Street in Auburn would change to King's Lane
- King Street in Londesboro would change to King's Road
- Main Street in Holmesville would change to Holmesville
Main Street
- Main Street in Londesboro would change to Londesboro
Main Street
The above changes are required to eliminate duplication
within the municipality for the 911 Emergency Services.
If you have any comments or concerns regarding these
changes please attend the meeting, or submit the same in
writing to the address below by December 3, 2007.
Richard Harding, Clerk-Administrator
Municipality of Central Huron
P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert St.
Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0