Spirit of giving

Times Contributor

 

The Latin word for community stems from ‘communis’, which means bound together, and its root is ‘munus’, meaning “gift.”

Each year this community’s hearts and minds come together through gift giving; gifts given to our families in need, that live within Strathmore and throughout Wheatland County, through the Christmas Hamper Society.

The Society provides hampers with two parts. One is the Christmas food donations, but the other half is the toy and clothing donation.

“We provide gifts for 300 children,” said Marianne Pinchbeck, Christmas Hamper volunteer.

Each year volunteers put together a gift bag that includes a clothing item, toy and book or game for each child under 18 in the household. 

In order to do this, there needs to be donations from the community. 

Acceptable donations are money, gifts or gift cards.

Those who wish to give cash can go to the Wheatland FCSS office located at 85 Lakeside Blvd in Strathmore (403 934-5335), next to the Strathmore Library. A tax receipt goes to those who donate cash. Sometimes there are concerns that charity donations actually go to the families. All the money donated to the Christmas Hamper always goes directly to the families; no money ever goes for administration by the agency.

Some people like to purchase a toy. It can be a great way to teach children about the joys of giving and the meaning of Christmas.

Pinchbeck said that each year toys for the three to six-year-old children are plentiful, but there is a real need of gifts for children seven to 17-years-old.  Purchased gifts can be dropped at  boxes located in businesses throughout town, such as the local banks, grocery stores, drugstores, Wal-Mart and Home Hardware, to name a few.

Sometimes it is difficult to choose a gift for this age group. Pinchbeck suggests that a Wal-Mart gift card, for amounts of $25 or less, are great for those who are unsure what kind of gift to purchase. Since the hampers go out a week prior to Christmas, a gift card allows the parent to shop with the child to purchase a gift that interests them and fits nicely under the tree.

As to the difference it makes, Pinchbeck gave the example of one mother who received a snowsuit for her infant. The mother was at a loss of how she would keep the child warm through the winter, until the donation arrived on her doorstep.

Accepting help can be difficult. Those in need can consider that they are helping the community to bind together, assisting its members in ways to promote survival. To accept charity of others requires strength and opens opportunity to help others when the situation presents itself. An encouraging website on this topic is www.wikihow.com/Stop-Thinking-that-Accepting-Help-is-a-Sign-of-Weakness. 

Those in need are not alone.There were 53,512 people using food banks in Alberta as of March 2012 and 44 per cent of the recipients were children. Twelve per cent of food bank users are working. Five percent of users are seniors. Fifty two per cent of Social Assistance clients require food bank help. Without support, there is no food or gifts for Christmas.

If you know of someone in need, the family needs to call the FCSS office at 403 934-5335 and go through a screening process. Details about family and income verify that hampers and gifts are going to the appropriate people. All information is confidential. In order to fill this year’s hampers toy and clothing donations must be received by Dec. 13.