Joy of Giving campaign starts Nov. 2

By Jamie Rieger
The Holiday season is just a few short weeks away and it is once again time to help with donations to the Joy of Giving drive which kicks off on Nov. 2.
The annual campaign provides food hampers and presents for local families who otherwise may not have a joyous Christmas.
Each hamper contains a turkey and a ham, as well as fresh vegetables and essential items like milk and butter, along with items for preparing a Christmas dinner.
“With this hamper, each family is able to enjoy a great Christmas supper and have extra food for weeks to come,” said Joy of Giving chairperson, Laurie Haynes.
Organizers are asking that donors check expiry dates on the packages of non-perishable food items and to not donate out-of-date food.
They also accept cash donations to help pay for the extras that go into each hamper. New toys for the children can also be donated. Each child of family’s receiving hampers will have wrapped gifts for Christmas morning.
Names of people who may be in need of a Christmas hamper this season, can contact Cathy Murray at 403-545-3200. The informaion may also be dropped off at the Bow Island Health Centre in a sealed envelope, marked: Attention the Joy of Giving. Be sure to include the recipient’s full name and phone number, along with the number of children in th family, their gender and age. Deadline for submitting names for hampers is at noon on Dec. 4.
Last year, 31 family Christmas hampers were distributed, helping make 62 children’s holiday season a little brighter.

For further information, contact Haynes at 403-545-6296 or Murray at 403-545-3200.