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NOVEMBER 27, 2012
Heat goalie Barry Brust broke Johnny Bower’s 55-year-old AHL shutout streak record A29
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CHRISTMAS IN DOWNTOWN
A3 Thousands turn out for community Christmas tree event
Two local agencies are seeing marked increase in clientele
LOVE FOR LILEE
A5 A charity princess pageant raised more than $2,800 for girl with cancer
Vikki HOPES Abbotsford News
Increasing demand for services is putting pressure on two local charities as they begin their Christmas fundraising campaigns. Both the Salvation Army and the Abbotsford Food Bank and Christmas Bureau are seeing more people come through their doors this year than in 2011, although it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why. Deb Lowell of the Salvation Army speculates that the spin-off effects from the 2008 economic downturn are still impacting people, with many suffering job loss or under-employment. She said the number of people served by the agency each month is now up to about 4,000, although the total referred to detox or substance abuse treatment has gone down. “It would indicate the main reason people are coming through our doors is poverty,” Lowell said. Food bank manager Dave Murray said Continued on A3
GRINCH PROJECT
A13 Children’s theatre group takes a new look at an old tale
Small Headline AX
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Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9
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Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . A33
JOHN MORROW Abbotsford News
Cocoa, a chocolate Labrador, gets on the good side of Santa with a kiss at Buckerfield’s “Pets with Santa“ picture day last Saturday. Donations went to the Abbotsford SPCA.
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