Whatever the economy is doing right now, it doesn’t seem to have had much effect on the goodwill and charitable nature of the general populace. Several charity drives are reporting strong responses from the public.
One look at the stacks of new and gently used children’s books that have been brought in to Clarity Wealth Counsel, one of numerous drop-off locations for the Little Warriors Book Drive, is enough to demonstrate this. It’s almost as if the retirement planning business has turned tables and is starting up a children’s library.
“I just want to thank St. Albert for coming out and showing such support. We weren't expecting anything near this much. They've really stepped up,” exclaimed Aron Egey-Samu, certified financial planner and the business’s co-owner.
While there’s no official tally on the number of books they’ve collected so far, he and his team said “hundreds and hundreds.” They paid a special nod to Neil M. Ross School education assistant Diane Japuncic who apparently took up a collection and brought in two large plastic tubs full. Retirement planner and co-owner Sonia Egey-Samu called her an “angel” for what she’s done for the campaign, writing “she’s just an amazing lady with a huge heart,” in an email to the Gazette.
Little Warriors is a national charitable organization working to build awareness and increase prevention of child sexual abuse. It also facilitates treatment for children through the Be Brave Ranch.
The drive is collecting new and gently used books (for ages 6 to 16) for children receiving care at Be Brave Ranch. The deadline for collections is Sunday, Dec. 15, but please note some offices are not open on the weekend, making their effective deadline Friday, Dec. 13. St. Albert drop-off locations include Clarity Wealth Counsel (10 Carleton Dr.), Core Chiropractic Clinic (30 Green Grove Dr.), and RSM Massage (Unit 70B, 161 Liberton Dr.), as well as RV City, 8704 100 St. in Morinville. Visit digitallink.ca/little-warriors-book-drive for more information.
Bounty of bags
The backpacks and backpack stuffers keep coming in as the deadline looms for Bag of Hope. The local effort is running smoothly to meet its goal before its Thursday deadline this week.
“Right now we are on track to fill the required 125 backpacks for delivery after our turkey dinner on December 20,” explained Cora Pacholok in an email. “We will use the other donations we get to fill the additional backpacks to get to the 250-300+ range. The extra backpacks we make are used throughout the winter at the Mosaic Centre.”
She added she still expects a last-minute boost in donations at the end of the campaign.
The effort collects duffel bags and backpacks along with necessities and comforts (such as winter wear, socks/underwear, toiletries, food and bus tickets) for metro Edmonton's homeless population. Donations can be dropped off at the St. Albert Curling Club, 3 Taché St. and the deadline is Thursday, Dec. 12. Visit bagofhope.ca for more information.
Other upcoming charity deadlines and details
Kinettes Christmas Hamper Drive: collecting donations of non-perishable food items and toys. Deadline: Saturday, Dec. 14. Dropoffs at Servus Place, Fountain Park Recreation Centre, Overdrive Dance Force, Raw Beauty, all five Starbucks locations, Running Room, both A&W locations, BMO, Riverside Honda, Keenooshayo and Robert Rundle schools, Marshalls and St. Albert Centre. stalbertkinettes.ca
Salvation Army Christmas Kettle: cash donations for church programs. Deadline: Tuesday, Dec. 24. Dropoffs at various local stores and shopping centres. stalbertsalvationarmy.ca
Giving Tree: collecting winter wear items for clients through St. Albert Community Village. Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 8. Dropoffs at Fountain Park Recreation Centre and Servus Place. stalbert.ca (search ‘The Giving Tree’).
