KENORA – It is that time again – “Elf Time”. And how time does fly. But this year, I remember where I put my elf hat.
As you know, the success of the Elf Project for these past few years has depended on all of you out there willing to become elves during the festive season. So many of you are elfing that it overwhelms me with everyone’s generosity and spirit.
Thanks to each one of you who takes that little bit of extra time to make sure that someone you don’t know has a little extra special something at Christmas. I hope you will choose to join me again this year – I know that we are all UP for it.
Last year we tried a few new things:
- A few more agencies were added.
- I asked for donations of gift cards – a little easier to buy – and they were a HUGE Success.
- Several agencies/businesses adopted families and were able to buy gifts and goodies for everyone in the family. (I solicited families who would not be receiving a hamper from the Salvation Army.)
- I also asked for toys for children of men and women in recovery, who either would not be able to make it home for Christmas or had no money for gifts. This idea was truly inspirational (sadly not my idea). One person spoke about how he wept when he realized that he would have Christmas gifts for his children and how this gave him back his dignity.
The Elf Project is about small acts of kindness and paying it forward – so happy to have you on board.
WHAT I DO:
- Send emails asking people (assisting elves) for their HELP and their GENEROSITY.
- Collect all the goodies and arrange for them to be distributed to the recipients.
WHAT YOU DO:
- Chat up the Elf Project with friends, co-workers and acquaintances. Circulate this e-mail.
- Check the list to see what is needed.
- Round up the goodies and bring them to me to help spread the warmth during these cold winter months.
WHERE and WHEN: Drop stuff off at the Community Legal Clinic – in Market Square on Chipman Street – any time during the week day.
DEADLINE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
FOCUS FOR ELF PROJECT
GIFTCARDS
Gift Cards were a HUGE HIT – easy to carry around and lets people (a) buy what they really want, and (b) when they really want it.
So, please More More Gift Cards.
AGENCIES
If you are an Agency – please let me know if you have a family that you would like an elf-organization to adopt.
I would need to know:
– how many children and their ages & approximate sizes
– children’s wish lists
– how many parents & their approximate sizes.
– any food preferences.
If your are an organization (or family or business, etc.) that would like to “adopt a family,” let me know and I will ask the agencies for a family.
TEENAGER STUFF
We had lots of toys for younger kids – which was great – but very little stuff for teenagers.
Who knows what teenagers like/want? I don’t. But if you do – we NEED IT.
WHAT DOES the ELF PROJECT NEED:
**Gift certificates – for local restaurants, or grocery stores**
- Money to buy perishables – chickens (for turkey dinner) and for extras goodies
- Specialty Foods – CHOCOLATES, fancy coffee/teas, nuts, dried fruit, cranberry sauce, fancy jams/jellies
- Small gifts – candles, flashlights, soaps, bubble bath, shower gels, hats, gloves, scarves, nice note paper, cards, etc.
- Children’s gifts – various ages – back packs
- Teen gifts
- Small gifts, especially for men – socks, mitts, hats.
- Food – anything for every-day consumption
- Gently used items.
WHY DO I DO THIS:
The holiday season is always a special time, but many people do without – without family, without friends, without treats. With your contributions,
I know the Elf Project helps make the holidays a little bit extraordinary, especially for children and for those who have very little.
I do believe that the Elf Project has been a success because it has been kept as a local project. The donations come from people living in and around Kenora and they are given to people living in and around Kenora. It is an excellent example of members of this community helping other community members.
I like to think of myself as a Xmas elf who starts the spirit of Christmas early.
I hope to hear from you – be generous; be creative. Many thanks to everyone who has helped make this project such a huge success.
I am happy to do pick ups if you cannot drop by my office – Northwest Community Legal Clinic on Chipman Street in Market Square during office hours.
Please call me – Sallie: work (807) 468-8888 or home (807) 468-8888.
Th a n k s, S a l l i e
RECIPIENTS:
The Wellness Project
Minto Family Resource Centre
Changes Recovery Homes (Del Art & Clarissa Manor) Kenora Fellowship Centre
Jubilee Church of God, Pastor Frank Kowal
The Wellness Project
The Wellness Project (Community Mental Health Support Services, Kenora Association for Community Living) is an outreach program “to Help Yourself Feel Better about Yourself.” It provides an opportunity for people with physical or developmental disability, seniors of low income and adults with mental health issues to become physically active and to become involved in activities and social outings.
Minto Family Resource Centre
The Minto Family Resource Centre, located on Minto Avenue is a drop-in centre for families with children under six years. The Centre, which is run by Karen Campbell, provides resources, such as food programs to help with food security, parenting programs, as well as a meeting place for parents to socialize and for children to meet and play with each other. Parents can also chat with a social worker or nurse.
Changes Recovery Homes (Del Art & Clarissa Manor).
Changes Recovery Homes provides residential supportive treatment level 1 at two locations: Del Art Manor for Men, Clarissa Manor for women, in a therapeutic community milieu; abstinence based; AA, 12-step, best practices. Aboriginal cultural component where needed, small town setting.
Clarissa Manor is a Level One Residential Supportive Treatment service which accepts clients who are pre and post treatment, and those who need a safe, sober and stable environment while working on their sobriety. We assist with developing healthy lifestyles, and offer cultural and spiritual support. We encourage attendance at 12-step programs (i.e. AA) and assist with community reintegration, vocational counselling, etc. We also offer support to individuals with children in care with Child and Family Services.
Kenora Fellowship Centre
The Kenora Fellowship Centre offers shelter and comfort to the vulnerable, the disadvantaged and the displaced. The mission of the Kenora Fellowship Centre has always been: To clothe the naked, to help the helpless, to feed the hungry, to love the unloved, and to guide the lost.
It is the only operation giving refuge from the streets to the marginalized citizens within the community and is strategically located in downtown Kenora. All are extended a warm welcome, a cup of coffee or tea, a snack, and often a warm meal. The Kenora Fellowship Centre is owned and has been operated by the Presbyterian Church since 1964.
Jubilee Church of God, Pastor Frank Kowal
Pastor Frank Kowal and his wife Lynn started the Jubilee Church of God in their home. For several years now, they have been located at 215 First Street South, Kenora . A Christian worship service is conducted each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and the congregation is encouraged to participate in singing, testimonies, and partaking in the lords table. After each service a hot meal is served to all who wish to attend. Many homeless and disenfranchised attend this meal and four other local Churches help with this endeavour. Jubilee ministers to mostly First Nations people with outreaches to the homeless, chronic alcoholics, and marginal families in the city. The church has a food bank, clothing bank, furniture drop, off rides to appointments, helping hands, and many other supportive activates to the community at large.
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