Local Video
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| Record need for Christmas sharing |
By: SUZANNE ROOK, Managing Editor
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Posted: Saturday, December 5, 2009 12:08 am
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If anyone knows how to be thrifty, it’s my mother.
To her, Christmas was a time to resupply her brood with socks, underwear and toiletries. It was an opportunity to pull out the knitting needles, sewing machine and crochet hook and make sure a wealth of handmade hats, scarves, pajamas, robes and doll clothes filled the empty space under our tree.
I ran the same game plan when my boys were young — finding it a terrific way to stretch a small budget. But no matter how tight things were, I — and my parents before me — always found enough money and resources to pull together a nice celebration.
We were fortunate: we had jobs that paid the bills, mortgages that were up to date and the support of family and good friends.
This year, 950 local children aren’t so lucky.
On Wednesday, the Community Action Center hosts Christmas Sharing, a program more than 30 years old in which the donated toys, games and other gifts are offered to parents with children 0 to 18 and who qualify for CAC assistance. Parents make the selections — unbeknownst to their children — and take home the donated gifts to surprise the young ones with on the holiday.
But without some intervention from the community, Community Action Center Director Jim Blaha said, it’s looking as if some parents will go home empty handed. That would mean a lean — or nonexistent — Christmas for their kids.
So Blaha is asking for help.
This year’s 950 is the largest number he’s has ever had eligible for Christmas Sharing; no surprise considering that in 2009, the CAC, which serves the Northfield School District area, has helped more new families than ever. Many, Blaha said, are those who have lost their jobs or had their home foreclosed and who never thought they would need the CAC.
This quarter alone, the CAC served 90 new families, he said.
That’s where Northfield and Dundas area residents come in. Blaha understands the economic downturn has touched everyone, but has faith in the community, its generosity and constant willingness to help, especially when it’s for kids at Christmas.
The CAC is looking for donations of toys for all ages of children, but especially for adolescents and teens. For them, jewelry, fancy toiletries and perfumes, electric razors and clothing would fit the bill.
Donations can be dropped off at any Northfield Toys for Tots location or at the CAC, located at the Northfield Community Resource Center, 1651 Jefferson Parkway on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Volunteers, including older teens, are also needed to help during the Wednesday event — which runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. — with jobs including gift wrapping and hospitality. Anyone interested in volunteering should call the CAC at 664-3550.
For kids, Christmas is a time of year where dreams are bigger and brighter than ever and parents want to make dreams come true.
CAC clients, said Blaha, “have those dreams as well. We don’t want to see anybody disappointed if we can do anything about it.”
— Reach Suzanne Rook at srook@northfieldnews.com or at 507-645-1113 |
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