AMHERST - With the economy in distress and jobs at a premium, Jean Miller knows this could be a busy year for Christmas for Kids.
The annual campaign has kicked off its 16th edition and Miller would not be surprised if this year's total exceeds the 512 referrals in 2008.
"We were up a little bit last year over the year before and it's quite possible it will go up again this year," Miller said. "Times are tough out there right now and families are finding it hard to make ends meet. There's no telling how busy we could be, but we would not be surprised if our numbers go up again."
Christmas for Kids has been operating since 1994, when Community Services contacted the Amherst Ministerial Association asking it to take over the program, the purpose of which is to make sure no child wakes up Christmas morning without a present under the tree.
The community has rallied behind the program with donations of gifts from a series of angel trees around the county and through monetary donations that campaign volunteers use to purchase other presents.
"We've been blessed with tremendous support from the community. We have received merchandise through the Toys for Tots program and the Cumberland Twirlers. Church groups and other community organizations have been big supporters as well," Miller said.
The centre, operating for the second year out of the Alpha Centre on Crescent Avenue, has opened its referral line at 667-1949. The phone line operates from 10 a.m., to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday through Dec. 11.
Angel trees will be in place early next week at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Dairy Queen, Zellers, Scotiabank branches in Oxford and Pugwash, the Amherst Pharmasave and the Christmas for Kids office.
The value of angel gifts has increased from $35 to $40. Children will also receive mittens, gloves, scarves, toques, slippers and other items provided by volunteers.
Receipts will be issued for monetary donations, which can be sent to Joan Fowler, 116 Victoria Street West, Amherst, B4H 1C8.
Parents of children, ages 15 and younger, will be called when parcels are ready, beginning Dec. 14 and ending Dec. 18.
dcole@amherstdaily.com
