Schools, hockey teams, non-profit groups, emergency services, businesses and citizens donated time, fuel, goods, toys and cash to support the Christmas Campaign this year.
The support for the campaign is normally very good, but this year the response from the community of Princeton and the Area H communities has according to the president of Crisis Assistance, Allan Kovaltsenko been, “overwhelming.”
Josie Penner, head volunteer for the toy department of the campaign said, “The response for teens this year is just terrific.”
The Catholic Church Hall was generously donated as the spot to sort and package gifts for children.
Carol Skinner, Eileen DeBruyn, Karla Friesen and Alexia Boyd assisted Penner with the children’s gifts.
Assisting president Kovaltsenko and his wife Shareyl with the organization of the Christmas Hampers this year were: Shirley Hill, Shareyl Garfield, Pam LeGault, Julie, Bryce and Jake McCutcheon, Dave Mansfield, Don and Kathy Strickland and Paul Christman, a visitor from Whitehorse.
The small group of volunteers worked hard and well together putting out 90 plus a number of “emergency” hampers together, in just a few hours.
“Organization makes things go tickety-boo,” said Kovaltsenko, “these folks are doing a fantastic job.”
Beginning at 8:30 Monday morning, the hampers were ready for pick up or delivery.
The majority of hampers are picked up, “about 85 per cent,” says Kovaltsenko, “protecting privacy is important.”
For those who have no way of picking their hamper up, Crisis has no problem delivering it to them.
Kovaltsenko extends his appreciation to the communities of Princeton and Area H for their incredible support and to his volunteers a huge thank you.