The local Salvation Army is all geared up to help you and your young ones get through the winter, one coat at a time.
The Coats for Kids program starts handing out winter jackets next Monday. This year, the recipients will get a few additional items, because, as senior pastor Jason Guy states, some things just go hand in hand.
"This year we're giving out hats and mitts because they're no point just giving out a jacket to a kid. You need hats and mitts to go along with it."
Last year, the program gave out 130 coats, he said. This year organizers anticipate an increase of at least 20 per cent, based on the number of hampers they gave out during Thanksgiving. This means that they expect Coats for Kids to reach about 160 kids.
As more and more people find themselves in need, it's Guy's wish to see more people step forward and help.
"Hopefully this awareness will draw attention to the Army because we are meeting the needs of people that are around in our community."
He gave huge thanks to the Rotary Club of St. Albert and the staff at the Gold Dust Casino for their efforts in making donations of cash and coats.
If you would like to benefit from the church's Coats for Kids program, please contact Marcia Berrisford, family services director, at 780-458-1937. She'll be happy to answer all of your questions and set up an appointment to come down and pick out a coat.
The program runs from Nov. 1 to 30 but only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fright night for a good cause
You could call it The Nightmare on Embassy Place. This will be the seventh year that the Carli family conducts its monster marathon one day set up and take down of its colossal Halloween display. It takes place tomorrow, naturally, and you'll be subjected to all manner of frights and delights. According to Ingrid Carli, the project has several purposes.
"The neighbours say we're crazy but it's fun, it helps out the food bank and, you know what, it's bringing Halloween back for the kids."
While she kept mum on the theme for this year's display, she did say that the hearse, the butcher shop scene and the barbershop scene — all crowd favourites — would be back. Everything else is secret.
"You have to come and see."
In previous years they have received over 2,000 visitors. If you plan to stop by, please bring some non-perishable food or a monetary donation for the food bank.
