COMMUNITY

If approved, they show up at the fairgrounds on distribution day to pick up their hamper, which consists of all the fixings for a Christmas dinner, extra food to stock the pantry for the week and a few gifts for each child in the family

The Hamper program also gives individuals, businesses, and organizations the opportunity to sponsor a family. Last year there were 18 sponsors who saw the importance of sponsoring a family to ensure everyone has a good holiday, said Simons. Sponsors reach out to Simons, who then pairs the sponsor with a family. The sponsor gets a copy of the family’s initial Hamper application, which outlines their needs and wants, as well as basic information about everyone in the family. The sponsors shop to collect the family’s needs, some wish list items and enough food to fill the food box. It’s a generous undertaking, which Simons is grateful for every year.

The concept is simple on paper, but behind the scenes there’s a tremendous amount of work involved from collecting donations to sorting them and distributing them. Simon’s committee work as a well-oiled machine with many years of experience, backed by close to 100 volunteers from all walks of life – the caring neighbour, local sports teams/clubs, girl guides, students from area schools, the list is long. If you have an opportunity to volunteer this holiday season, look no further than the Christmas Hamper program

The sight of volunteers sorting donations, stocking food and organizing toys, while working in sync, donned with Christmas hats while enjoying holiday tunes– is a heart-warming experience that everyone should be a part of, if not once, but every year.

If you cannot donate time, consider donating to the cause The County of Brant OPP and EMS will host their Fill a Vehicle food drive the weekends of December 9/10 and December 16/17 at area grocery stores – Sobeys, No Frills, and Foodland in St George and Burford The Paris Fire Fighters Club will be outside of Canadian Tire Paris this weekend collecting new toy donations. Non-perishable food items and new toys can be dropped off at the County of Brant Service Office (Paris), LCBO, CIBC, TD, YNCU Credit Union and The Full Plate. The committee also accepts hats and mittens to keep children warm throughout the winter

The Paris Fairgrounds donates part of the facility for committee members to organize the week of December 17 –22. Volunteers will spend days organizing the donations ahead of the December 22nd pick up date. Hamper applications are still available at the County of Brant office in Paris, 66 Grand River St N until midDecember. Anyone interested in sponsoring a family or coming on board as a volunteer is urged to call Shirley Simons at 519-442-3550

This community is beyond blessed to have so many kind-hearted individuals who call Paris home. From donating to volunteering, this program wouldn’t be the success it is today without the dedicated committee members, like Simons, who simply have the desire to make sure everyone can enjoy the spirit of the holidays without stress and anxiety

“I stay involved because I want to make sure all our residents are well blessed with enough food and gifts for their children and to know there will be many happy little faces Christmas morning. It is a very special time of year for me,” said Simons, who wouldn’t have it any other way.

Paris Christmas Parade set for December 7th!

The Paris Firefighters Club announced this week that the Paris Christmas parade is returning on Saturday, December 7th beginning at 6 pm.

Details of this year’s route have not been revealed at this time. Last year’s float started in the south end of town on Grand River Street South, under the high-level bridge, and worked its way through the downtown, up Grand River Street North and ended at the Paris District High School. The Paris Independent will bring you a story in the next couple of weeks with all the details

This is the third year in a row the Paris Firefighters Club has hosted the parade, taking the reins from longtime host, Paris resident and entrepreneur Ed McGuire. Organizers have revealed that float applications will be sent out by October 28th to those who have already expressed interest in participating again this year If you want to inquire or request an application, you can reach out via email to parischristmasparade@outlook.com