The Angel Tree Project supports those who are in financial or emotional crisis on the Coast and you can help them by building a gingerbread house this November.
The group is holding a gingerbread house-building contest and silent auction in Sunnycrest Mall Nov. 25 to 27 to raise money for their cause.
There are categories for businesses and organizations, families, adults, teens, teams, elementary schools, preschools and daycares. The cost to enter is $5 for school groups or individual students, $10 for after school groups, sports groups and families and $20 for businesses, associations and organizations.
The overall winner will have their edible work of art displayed in the window at the Town of Gibsons. Prizes in individual categories include a karaoke machine, a pizza party, a lottery ticket basket and a popcorn machine.
Entry forms are available at Rona in Madeira Park, Starbucks in Sechelt, the Seasoned Kitchen in Gibsons and the General Store in Halfmoon Bay.
The entry fee can be paid when contestants drop off their gingerbread houses for judging and full contest rules can be found on the Angel Tree Project Facebook page.
This is the first year Angel Tree Project has had such a public fundraising endeavour, and project founder Donna Gopp said they hope to raise $1,500 through the contest and the silent auction.
"The need has grown and we've expanded so much and now we've become much more in need of public donations, but we also help more," Gopp said.
She started Angel Tree Project about 10 years ago when she was moved to help children in need on the Sunshine Coast. She saw single parents living hand to mouth and not able to pay for things like sports programs or music lessons for their children who were gifted in these areas.
"It's terrible to live like that and not have any help," she said.
Gopp approached Terri Scallon, the minister at the Gibsons United Church, and started brainstorming ways to help. It came down to giving two things - financial and emotional support.
What started with a few calls into the program for financial assistance or counselling, which is offered by Scallon, became a growing list of community members in need.
Gopp said the givers are angels and they are matched with receivers without any identifying information being released. For example, a giver could purchase a winter coat, boots and mittens of a certain size and then drop them off at Gibsons United Church. That gift would then be delivered to the child who needs them.
While Angel Tree Project is reaching out to people this Christmas season, Gopp said the non-denominational service is accessible year round by calling 604-989-5404 or 604-886-2333. You can also connect with the Angel Tree Project at [email protected].
