There are several groups working to make Christmas bright for those in need on the Sunshine Coast and there’s still time to support those organizations, if you want to help spread some Christmas cheer.
Elves Club
This year the Elves Club has come up with a new structure. Instead of giving out hampers with food and toys, the club will give out gift cards to families in need during the week of Dec. 11, so those families can shop for what they want.
The club has set up a system with several stores on the Coast where patrons can ask to add some money (from $2 up) to any purchase and those funds will be collected by the store and held until Dec. 6, when the money will be cashed out in gift certificates for the Elves Club to distribute.
“We’ve received great response from every store we’ve connected with,” said Elves Club president Lynn Nestman.
“We’ve got every grocery store on the Coast involved and London Drugs, Pharmasave, Trail Bay Source for Sports, Connected Electronics, Pastimes, The Bargain Shop, Gibsons Pet Foods and Supplies, and the Seasoned Kitchen.”
While those specific stores are set up to take donations, Nestman said any gift cards redeemable on the Coast would be welcomed by the Elves Club.
Gift cards can be dropped off at the Elves Club depot in Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons or at South Coast Ford in Sechelt until Dec. 6
In addition to the new gift card structure, the Elves Club Telethon will morph this year into an Elves Take Over the Coast day.
“Coast Cable has arranged for all the first responders from fire departments, paramedics, search and rescue – we’re going to have everybody out and they’re going to be at every intersection on the Sunshine Coast on Dec. 3 doing a boot campaign,” Nestman said.
The boot campaign will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will also include food sales and entertainment outside IGA stores.
“I’m quite excited. It’s great to try something new,” Nestman said, noting the Elves Club also has a new website where people can give online at www.elvesclub.ca.
Around 300 families have applied for assistance from the Elves Club so far this season and Nestman expects to see more apply in the coming weeks.
Secret Santa
The Sunshine Coast Secret Santa Group was started in 2011 by five community members who wanted to help three local families who were in great need that Christmas.
Members sought donations to provide large, personalized Christmas hampers for the families, who remained anonymous throughout the effort.
The first hampers were warmly received and the effort has grown since.
Last year the group raised over $40,000 in donations to help 26 local families.
This year the Sunshine Coast Secret Santa Group has identified nine families in need and posted general information about their circumstances on the Secret Santa website at www.sunshinecoastsecretsanta.com
The community is asked to drop off donations of toys, clothing, non-perishable food and gift certificates to Giggle ‘n Bloom in Gibsons or Haley GM in Wilson Creek or Gibsons by Dec. 17 for the Secret Santa effort. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the same locations, or given online through the group’s website, as of Nov. 30.
Sponsorship of entire families is another option provided through Secret Santa. Families in need can still be nominated online until Nov. 30 and food and gift hampers will be delivered on Dec. 22.
There’s an upcoming fundraiser for Secret Santa on Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Haley GM in Gibsons where guests can have their picture taken with Santa by donation. Coffee, hot chocolate, muffins and doughnuts will be served and those who attend can enter to win a two-night stay at the Painted Boat Resort.
Community Services
Every year the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) gratefully accepts gifts of cash, gift certificates, new toys, games, clothing, jewelry, electronics and toiletries for all age groups, which they give out to those in need through the North Pole room.
The North Pole room is a space filled with toys, gifts and goodies for families that access SCCSS.
Families are invited to pick gifts for each other from the North Pole room in an effort to help alleviate some of the financial burden on those who are struggling.
Donations can be dropped off at SCCSS (5638 Inlet Ave. in Sechelt) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, up until Dec. 7.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army kicked off its Kettle Campaign last weekend with a goal of raising at least $60,000 to fund programs and services for those in need on the Coast throughout the year.
A portion of proceeds will also be used to pay for the community Christmas dinner the Salvation Army puts on at Camp Sunrise on Dec. 14.
“One hundred per cent of the kettle money goes to our services and programs,” said kettle coordinator Inge Hardman, noting she’s in need of many more volunteers to man kettles across the Coast, if the Salvation Army has any hope of reaching its $60,000 goal this season.
“Last year we raised $67,000, so it’s within a reasonable boundary, if we can just get more volunteers.”
Volunteers are asked to sign up for two-hour shifts through www.tsaonthecoast.com or by texting or calling Hardman at 604-818-0048.
