COMMUNITY NEWS

Yet, it’s not just about the toys the kids will unwrap on Christmas morning. Each family receiving a Hamper will get all the fixings for a holiday meal, including a $25 gift card to No Frills to buy a turkey, enough food to stock the cupboard for the Christmas break, toys and stocking stuffers and warm outerwear graciously knitted and donated by Mary Maxim and talented residents in this community And because there were some extra finances from last year’s Hamper drive, the committee was able to purchase some extra toilet paper and Kleenex boxes to include in every hamper this year.

So yes, the magic of Christmas filled the air in Paris, Ontario this week. It was a heart-warming, humbling experience, one I look forward to seeing every year. As committee members hand out those Hampers and breathe a collective sigh of relief, know they do so with grateful acknowledgement that this community is undoubtedly the most generous around.

Top left, representing the Paris Guiding groups are the 2nd Paris Pathfinders, a few Rangers and a Girl Guide. For the past 20 years, they’ve donated their time one evening to help sort the Hampers Above is firsttime volunteers Lisa Keefe, Cameron Kenney, Emily Kenney and Brian Kenney. To the left, longtime residents and volunteers Bill and Sheila Tough. Below, the Leversage family making a donation in memory of their grandson Evan Leverage. Evan’s heartbreaking story made international headlines When Evan was 7 years old his family was told he wouldn’t live long enough to see Christmas. The St. George community rallied together to fulfill Evan’s bucket list request: one last Christmas in October Residents hung their Christmas lights and decorations early just for Evan and the town hosted one mighty Christmas parade to remember Years later in his memory, Evan’s family collects toys to donate to the Hamper program.