Because of people like you and the donations we received through our Holiday Hampers Project, the youth in our Leadership & Resiliency Program were able to prepare hampers for 33 families in the Cowichan Valley. With cash donations from community members and gift certificates from Thrifty Foods and Country Grocer, we were able to provide 11 families with all the ingredients needed to prepare a full turkey dinner. We also supplied 16 families with cupboard staples including soup, pasta, rice, granola bars, bread, cheese, cereal, eggs, and cleaning supplies.
Donations from local businesses, community members, some ‘angel’ board members, funds from Mason’s Store, and gift cards from the Lion’s Club helped us provide holiday gifts to over 30 families. We were able to purchase items based on the needs of each family; like a crock-pot with recipe books, clothing, books, toiletries, diapers, wipes and infant formula.
Gifts included admission passes donated by Duncan Lanes bowling and passes from the Cowichan Aquatic Center, tickets from Cowichan Capitals for hockey games, gift cards from Co-op Peninsula Gas, travel mugs from Tim Hortons with drink coupons, shopping money from London Drugs, and restaurant gift cards from Jakes on the Lake and Just Jakes.
The leadership and dedication of the youth involved in this project was truly remarkable. With support from program staff they reached out to local businesses requesting donations, they helped collect these donations and then as a group they went to Superstore, the 49th Parallel in Chemainus, and Country Grocer in Lake Cowichan to purchase food. The hampers were delivered to youth & families in the Cowichan Valley by Counsellors at Community Options Society.
The feedback from those who received a hamper from this project has been heart-warming, “Wow, I can’t believe we get to have this. Thank you so much. We can actually have a Christmas dinner.” A mother called her Counsellor at Community Options Society in tears “I just can’t thank you enough. I’ve never received anything like this before.”
The staff at Community Options Society, the youth in our Leadership & Resiliency Program and the families that benefited from this project, would all like to extend their deepest thanks. Your generosity made this project possible. Thank you for supporting us in making a difference in our community.
Warmly,
Scarlet Jaxen, B.S.W.
Team Leader, Leadership & Resiliency
Community Options Society
