So many folks and animals are needy, And suffering in silence every day, That anything you give is more than welcomed;
Whatever you can offer in your way.
At Christmas time we need a small reminder,
That charities could use a helping hand,
Our friends and neighbours want to raise awareness
Of programs that assist and lend a hand.
The groups and the associations working
To make the world a better place to live
Depend on your support and hope you're willing
To find the group to which you'll want to give.
New Westminster resident Susan McLeod wrote this poem after reading The Record's 2009 Guide to Giving.
The Record started the annual Guide to Giving in 1996 to help provide local residents with information about some of the organizations needing their help at Christmas - and throughout the year.
This is the third and final install-ment of the 16th annual Guide to Giving, which ran in the Dec. 12 and 14 issues of The Record. You can find previous listings at www.royalcityrecord. com
Aunt Leah's Place
Aunt' Leah's Place is once again selling Christmas trees to help it its quest to prevent youth homelessness.
The New Westminster-based society operates a tree lot every December to generate revenue for its programs.
Aunt Leah's Place is a registered charity that helps kids who are in foster care and teem moms. The registered charity notes nearly half of kids who "age out" of government supports end up homeless.
The nearest tree lot is found at All Saints Anglican Church at 7405 Royal Oak in Burnaby.
Aunt Leah's Place also welcomes donations that help it provide housing and support programs for vulnerable teens. Volunteers are also needed.
For more information on the society or to donate, visit www.auntleahs.org.
Christmas Wish List
Things that many people take for granted top the wish lists of folks living in local shelters and housing programs.
Dan and Jennie Keeran started the Christmas Wish List in 2005 by posting the personal stories and wish lists of homeless people across the Lower Mainland on a website. This year's Christmas Wish List includes information about people living in various shelters, including the Cliff Block, the Russell Residence and Rhoda Kaellis Residence in New Westminster.
The Christmas Wish List website (www.homelesspartners.com) includes the wish lists of homeless people or those living in transitional housing and a few details about their lives. Items requested include a sleeping bag, food gift cards, shoes and a used laptop computer.
KidSport in New West
KidSport New West has a mission to make sports accessible to local youth.
Formed earlier this year, the group raises funds to help kids aged five to 18 take part in organized sports. It's currently collecting used sports equipment of all kinds, which will be sold at affordable prices at the group's biannual used equipment sale.
Sandon Fraser, one of the organizers of KidSport New West, said the sale not only raises funds for the grants that it disperses to local families but also helps families equip their children in sports equipment for a great price. He noted a child can often be outfitted from head to toe in hockey or lacrosse gear for less than $100.
KidSport New West's 2012 "scoreboard" indicates that it's helped 15 kids in six sports organizations through $2,530 in funds issued.
Sports equipment can be dropped off at the Hyack Festival Association office (204 Sixth St.) Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at Key West Ford (301 Stewardson Way) Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit www.kid sportnewwest.ca
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is highly visible at Christmas with its kettle campaign, but it helps those in need throughout the year.
Cadet Sharon Tidd said the Salvation Army still welcomes volunteers to staff the Christmas kettles, where people can donate up until 4 p.m. on Dec. 24.
"The more volunteers, the better," she said.
The Christmas kettle campaign, noted Tidd, raised $358,000 last year and has a goal of collecting $400,000 this year.
"The need is great," Tidd said. "That funds our programs all year long. . That keeps it all alive."
In addition to donating funds at Christmas kettles, the Salvation Army appreciates donations throughout the year.
"We are also collecting non-perishable food year-round," she said. "That is for families that need help between trips to the food bank."
Donations of food items are also used for the Salvation Army's food programs, which include a breakfast every Saturday and a lunch every Sunday.
"We are doing a Christmas Day brunch," Tidd added. "If it's like our Saturday meal, we are getting 60 to 70 people. I would anticipate it would be the same crowd, maybe a few more."
Each Christmas, the Salvation Army runs the local toy bureau. More than 300 children were registered with the bureau.
Parents who register with the toy bureau are able to drop by and shop for toys for their children.
"They are able to hopefully get what their children want," Tidd said. "It comes down to what has been donated."
As always, the greatest need is gifts for teenagers. Donations of gift cards and items for teens are always appreciated.
The Salvation Army welcomes donations of socks, underwear and T-shirts for men in its shelters. Those include Stevenson House, a 14-bed facility in New Westminster, and Bridge House, a transition housing program just across the border in Burnaby.
To help the Salvation Army, call 604521-0363.
Union Gospel Mission
The Union Gospel Mission strives to provide a welcoming place where people feel safe.
The New Westminster mission provides a full breakfast from 8: 30 to 9: 30
a.m., followed by soup and other food later in the morning. Coffee is a hot commodity among folks attending the mission.
"The thing we are always struggling with is the amount of coffee," said manager Bill Wong. "That is a really big need."
The Union Gospel Mission also welcomes donations of new socks, as people who are homeless often have foot problems.
"If their feet are hurting they can't even come and have breakfast with us," he said. "It's really tough on them."
Financial donations are always helpful as they allow the mission to buy coffee or whatever is needed.
The Union Gospel Mission is about more than food, however, as it tries to provide people with skills they need to move forward in life. The mission also offers life skills programs to help homeless people.
"We are hoping to expand on those programs in the new year," Wong said.
Anyone wanting to help the Union Gospel Mission can call 604-525-8989 or drop by the mission at 658 Clarkson St.
YOU WEAR IT WELL
If Royal City residents are cleaning out their closets, You Wear It Well . Just For Grads would be pleased to accept any items that may be suitable for graduation.
Learning that some local students may not be able to celebrate their high school graduation with their peers because of financial struggles, a group of local women formed the nonprofit society to help underprivileged students from New Westminster attend their graduation celebration with pride.
"We always are in need of more shoes, jewelry and dresses," said Cindy Carlson, one of the group's founders. "It's a continuous need. Each year, we go through this with students coming through the program."
In April, grads attend Boutique Day to choose their outfit and accessories from among the items donated.
"We are in need of a seamstress," Carlson added. "Their role would be on the day helping with fittings, hemming, maybe alterations."
In addition to providing the grads with outfits for their big day, You Wear it Well aims to provide grads with a gift bag that includes some of the items they may need, such as deodorant and a camera to capture memories of the event.
The group also welcomes donation of gift certificates for services like makeup application and manicures, which can be included in the gift bags. Financial donations are greatly appreciated as they allow the organizers to buy needed items that aren't donated.
"We are grateful if we can get those kinds of things," Carlson said.
For more information or to help, email youwearit [email protected]. Donations can also be sent to the Royal City Education Foundation (c/o You Wear It Well . Just for Grads in the memo box), 1001 Columbia St., second floor, New Westminster, V3M 1C4.
tmcmanus@ royalcityrecord.com
