Christmas hamper kicks off Nov. 14

Jean Buthfer
Strathmore & Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society

 

The Strathmore & Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society kicks off its 2015 campaign on Saturday, Nov. 14. Yes, you did read that right – the name has now been changed by the membership at its annual meeting to be more inclusive of the Wheatland County’s contribution to the success of the hamper drive.
This will be the 30th year the society has delivered generous Christmas hampers to needy families in Strathmore and the Wheatland County.
The original idea started in 1981 when “The Happy Gang” heard of a family’s financial plight and gave out one hamper. Eventually in 1985, the society was formed as a charity and has carried on the tradition of assisting families enjoy a better Christmas than they would have otherwise had.
Gwen Moggey, the Chairperson of the Society, says that it’s business as usual with the name change.
Last year saw 218 hampers filled, up from the previous year’s total of 189 which was quite remarkable as it was a very short campaign due to the way the calendar worked.
This year the campaign will run a full term from Nov. 14 to Dec. 22 and with the uncertainty in the economy there is every reason to be a little pessimistic that numbers of hampers required will be as many, if not more than last year.
So the challenge is there for the communities to step up to the plate, open their hearts and purses and to repeat past year’s generous giving. Each hamper will contain generous amounts of food and toys, with food in sufficient quantities to last a typical family well into the New Year.
None of this could be achieved without the valuable support of the local schools, churches, service clubs and countless volunteers.
Collection points for food and toys will be set up around Strathmore and the surrounding villages. Monetary donations can be mailed to “The Strathmore & Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society,” c/o Strathmore FCSS, 680 Westchester Rd. Strathmore, Alta. T1P 1J1
The typical family we assist is usually where both parents are working but their budgets are stretched to the point of breaking and there is little, if anything left over for Christmas presents for the children.
Volunteers, and this year we are definitely looking for men, are needed to sort food and toys, please register with the Strathmore FCSS at 403-934-9090
In Strathmore and the Wheatland County we can again be proud that we are right up there at the top of generous giving at Christmas time in the whole of Canada, not just Alberta.
Statistics at the Canada Revenue Agency place us second against the West Coast Christmas Hamper Society in Victoria, B.C, with them beating by us by only $8,000 in giving. Now that’s like comparing David and Goliath!