The Elves Club is gearing up, collecting and gathering has begun, and volunteers are looking forward to the big day coming soon.
The Elves Club began on the Coast in the early '70s, becoming incorporated as a charity in 1972. The group collected non-perishable food, one item per month, and membership fees of a penny a day, purchasing turkeys and fresh vegetables and gathering toys, combining everything into hampers and delivering them to those in need from Egmont to Port Mellon.
Years later the Elves Club continues, last year distributing 760 hampers. The group looks to the individuals and businesses on the Coast for support, and people from all walks of life pull together to contribute whatever they can: time, finances, work.
"Together as a community we try to give those in need among us a bit extra at a time of year when the need seems great, both financially and spiritually," said Elves Club secretary Jacquie Braun. "The spirit of the season, the Christmas spirit, is not only for those receiving, but for those who contribute to the effort - the gatherers, packers, telethon personal, delivery people, the penny jar collectors - all share in the spirit."
The Elves Club is asking the community to help share in this spirit by volunteering what you can.
The Elves Club will host their hamper night on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the CLA Church on School Road in Gibsons. Hampers will continue to be made on Friday, Dec. 17, with delivery day on Saturday, Dec. 18.
The annual Elves Club telethon, broadcast live on Coast TV from the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons, is on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 10 p.m.
Drop-off depots will be at several locations along the Coast with the main depot at Sunnycrest Mall.
"Join the Elves Club, help put a glint in the eye of those who receive, a smile on little ones faces, and feel the spirit in yourself," Braun said.
-Submitted
