N E W
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014
W E S T M I N S T E R
INSIDE TODAY: Warming hearts for Christmas P11
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CHOICES ABOUND FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO HELP OTHERS IN NEW WESTMINSTER
A time for helping folks in the city
F
amily gatherings and visits with Santa may be highlights of the Christmas season for some folks, but for many it’s also a time for reaching out and helping those in need. Since 1996, The Record has been offering the Guide to Giving to help readers decide where they’d like to help out in the community – at Christmas and beyond. The non-profits operating in the city appreciate help, whether ON MY BEAT your it’s a cash donation, THERESA MCMANUS a few hours of volunteering or donations of much-needed items to them to continue their good works in the Royal City. Part 1 of the 2014 annual Guide to Giving starts today. ◆
Aunt Leah’s Place For more info on Aunt Leah’s Place, scan with Layar
Jennifer Gauthier/THE RECORD
Trees of hope: Christmas tree sales are one of the ways Aunt Leah’s Place raises funds to help children in foster care and young moms. Pam Costello is one of the volunteers at Aunt Leah’s four Christmas tree lots. Aunt Leah’s hamper wishlist including baby items (toys, food items, clothing, baby bottles and soothers), gifts (chocolates, gift cards, recreation or gym packages, movie cards, festive cookies and treats), socks, slippers, toiletries, grocery cards, picture frames, school supplies and non-perishable food. For more information about Aunt Leah’s or the Christmas to trees, visit www.auntleahs.org or call 604-525-1204. Donations can be made online via the website or dropped off at Aunt Leah’s head office THE RECORD’S
Aunt Leah’s Place is once again selling Christmas trees to assist in its quest to prevent youth homelessness. The New Westminster based society operates a tree lot every December to generate revenue for its various programs, which help kids who are in foster care and teen moms. It’s estimated 45 per cent of youth who “age out” of government support, end up homeless within three years – something Aunt Leah’s seeks to prevent. “It’s definitely one of our main fundraisers,” said Clete Hanson, communications coordinator. “It’s a pretty cool event for us.” Now in its 20th year, Aunt Leah’s tree lots are located in North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Vancouver and Burnaby (All Saints Anglican Church at Royal Oak and Rumble). The tree lots, which have several varieties of high-quality trees ranging from $5 to $14 per foot, are open until Dec. 21. Aunt Leah’s is also accepting donations for hampers until Friday, Dec. 19 and will then put together hampers that will be distributed to youth and teen moms. A wide range of items are included on
at 816 20th St.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver Family Services of Greater Vancouver continues to make Christmas merry for local families and seniors. For the past three years, Family Services has been coordinating the Caring Neighbours adopt-a-family/adopt-a-senior program in New West. The program matches families or seniors with
Guide Giving
sponsors, who buy food and gifts for those folks. “We’ve got over 130 families and seniors,” said Pat Steiner, coordinator of community education and development services. “Right now, we are doing a sponsorship piece for people that actually want to sponsor a family or senior and buy the presents and deliver them. We are coming to the tail end of that.” Not to fret, there’s still time to fill a Christmas wish. “Now what we are doing, is we are ◗Guide Page 3
2014
youget for that votingSpecial us Still Thank time to #1 in Custom Picture Frami Gift Framed for10Christmas! for the past years!
A headstart for your child. French FrenchImmersion Immersion Opening a New Montessori Now taking registration Preschool Classroom in Regular fee waived if registration is done l us EdithsMontessori.com Cadl ay! through website edithsmontessori.com September 2014! to
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