FREE ADMISSION!
SAY YES TO GREAT gifts
SHARE THE SPIRIT with the Christmas Cheer Board
THE MOST NEEDED ITEMS ARE THINGS LIKE CANNED FISH AND CANNED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
THE WINNIPEG SANTA CLAUS PARADE GIVES THE CHRISTMAS CHEER BOARD A CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY IN A SPIRIT OF GIVING.
CANADIAN HANDMADE OVER 150 ARTISANS! SIGNATURES CRAFT SHOW & SALE RBC CONVENTION CENTRE WINNIPEG 375 YORK AVE THUR & FRI 11 - 9 SAT 10 - 6 SUN 10 - 5 NOVEMBER 24 - 27
“Participating in the Parade is very, very important for the Cheer Board,” says executive director Kai Madsen. “This is a great way to make sure that people know that Christmas is coming very, very quickly and to get people into the spirit of sharing while joining in a great community event!” The Cheer Board provides assistance to families in need to try to make sure all children have a happy holiday. Madsen expects the Cheer Board to provide about 18,000 hampers this year. More than half of all the food and toys are donated by individuals and companies, and the Cheer Board buys the remaining goods needed to fi ll every hamper. The fund-raising target is $900,000. You can help out by bringing donations to the Parade. The most needed items are things like canned fi sh and canned fruit and vegetables — especially those with high nutritional content. “And because it is a Christmas Hamper and it’s meant to be celebratory, we also want to include candy and cookies and those kinds of things,” Madsen says. It’s helpful to include items like pasta, rice and other goods that will help to make use of leftover turkey and help to stretch the season by stretching the meals.
“You can also think about what to add to soup or stew or casseroles and it’s also good to include cake mixes and those kinds of things,” he says. Madsen says toys are always needed and there is a particular need for toys for kids from age 10 to 14. Parade executive director Ron Mark is proud to be associated with the Cheer Board. “We really are in synch with the Cheer Board’s mandate,” he says. “We believe that everyone should have a fun Christmas and a joyful holiday season, and the Board just brings so much joy to families in the city.” There will be collection points all along the Parade route, and donations can be left at the block party tents. As always, Cheer Board vans will be in the Parade, with volunteers walking alongside gathering goodies for the cause. There are many ways for individuals, churches, community clubs and businesses to help. Provide a hamper through the Feed-A-Family program, or make donations at the Winnipeg Free Press, at the Toronto Dominion Bank, by mail to the Cheer Board or online. Contact the Cheer Board o ffi ce at 204- 989-5680 or go to www.christmascheerboard.ca.
#HandmadeLive #SignaturesWPG SignaturesWinnipeg.ca
Powered by FlippingBook