For the second year in a row, a difficult decision has been made by organizers of Dryden’s Christmas Cheer Program.
While the program is still a go, Coordinator Peggy Howard says they’ve modified the program again due to COVID-19 in order to keep staff, volunteers and program recipients safe and healthy.
“We won’t be doing the adopt a family sponsored hampers and we won’t be accepting food and toy donations. We are hoping the community will again support us through monetary donations which would be greatly appreciated and very much needed.”
Like last year, monetary donations will be used to provide gift cards to individuals and families in need so they can purchase their own food and gifts.
Howard stresses there’s no doubt there’s been increased financial challenges for many local individuals and families due to the pandemic.
“We anticipate an even greater need this holiday season so it’s very important, it’s a great program and I hope that we see the kind of support that we’ve experienced in the past-community members have been incredibly generous.”
Howard adds the sooner monetary donations come in the better, so they know how much support they can provide.
Cheques or cash donations can be dropped off in the Christmas Cheer drop box at the Community Support Centre-NW or mailed to Christmas Cheer, 53 Arthur Street, Dryden, ON P8N 1J7. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Christmas Cheer’.
Interac e-Transfers may be sent to cheer@drytel.net. No password is required. If you would like a charitable receipt, you’re asked to include your name and mailing address in the message box.
Applications for program participants open November 8.
