While Santa and his elves prepare for the holidays at the North Pole, closer to home Powell River and District Christmas Cheer Committee is getting to work.
The cheer committee has been a Powell River tradition, helping provide hampers and toys for needy families in the area, since 1948.
“Bert Long and his wife started this many years ago in their basement,” said current committee president Sandra Carmen. “That we are still doing it is testament to the need in Powell River.”
According to Carmen, last year the cheer committee were able to help 255 families, including 290 children. She said they hope to help at least that many again this year.
Not a fundraising organization, the cheer committee is entirely dependent on donations from the community.
“Teens are especially hard to buy for,” said Carmen, “and we always seem to have a shortage of those [gifts].”
Carmen said larger groups of people or businesses can sign up for the Adopt-a-Family Program, in which they take over responsibility of purchasing Christmas dinner groceries and gifts for members of a selected family.
The deadline for gifts and donations is Saturday, December 5. However, given the work involved in shopping and packing the hampers, Carmen said the committee would appreciate if people contact them about helping as soon as possible.
Interested readers can help by sending in cash or cheques or by donating new toys. Cash or cheques can be sent by mail to cheer committee treasurer Cherrie Hunter at 7318 Glacier Street, Powell River, V8A 5V2. Charitable receipts are provided.
Another option is choosing a child’s name from the Christmas tree at Walmart and leaving a gift with store staff, said Carmen.
For more information or to volunteer, readers can contact Carmen at 604.485.2142.
