The work has begun on a storied annual community tradition, the Squamish Community Christmas Care. The applications forms for those who want to apply are ready and the deadline to apply for the hampers is November 18.
Hamper applications are available at The Churches of Squamish, Coast Garibaldi Health, Women’s Centre, Sea to Sky Community Services, Under One Roof, and The 55 Activity Centre. The hampers contain non-perishable food items, baked goods, and ham or a turkey depending on the cost, and some oranges.
“We try to provide a fixing for Christmas dinner and then there is also canned goods, soups and coffee, and tops for children,” said Karen Millard, the co-chair of Community Christmas Care.
Community Christmas Care is a local organization that has worked for the last 42 years to offer hampers for those who need it at Christmas time. Everyone who applies receives a hamper, says Millard.
Last year, volunteers distributed close to 200 hampers. Community Christmas Care is also accepting applications for new volunteers and looking for cash and in-kind donations, such as gift card, especially for teens.
“We are looking for cash donations for cash, new toys and gift cards for teens, anything from McDonalds and Stuntwood, Walmart and London Drugs, etc. The gift cards can be dropped off at local churches, as well as at the Squamish Chief, and the Centre Point on Fourth Avenue.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Karen at karen@fillyourcup.ca
“We will need volunteers to put together hampers but mostly on delivery day we will need drivers to deliver hampers on the morning of Thursday December 15,” she says.
