Christmas Hampers will go out to North Island homes this weekend, but contributions continue to pour in as residents, businesses and social groups open their hearts and their wallets.
You can still help the fund this week and perhaps win a nice holiday prize in Coastal Community Credit Union’s annual wreath raffle in Port Hardy.
Each member of the branch’s staff has crafted a unique, themed wreath to be given out to a lucky winner. There are 11 wreaths in all, ranging from models covered in dog treats, candies and other confections to more traditional models with frosted boughs and pine cones.
The raffle continues through this week, with the winners to be drawn Saturday, Dec. 20.
Hampers will also be delivered to needy families, couples and individuals beginning Saturday morning. Recepients are reminded that somebody needs to be at home during the delivery, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., in order for the hamper to be dropped off.
The hampers include fixings for a full turkey dinner and fresh fruit for families, or ham dinner for singles and couples. Toys are also included for children 12-under.
Large donations have come in from several groups in the past week, including a $2,000 donation from the employees of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
During their most recent luncheon, Port McNeill’s Rotary Club members pooled together $1,027, and the Club matched the amount for a total donation of $2,054.
Port McNeill’s Minor Hockey Club, which raised more than $21,000 in November in a campaign sponsored by a prize package from Willie Mitchell, donated $2,000 of it to the Hamper Fund during Saturday’s annual North Island Eagles alumni benefit game.
The Eagles midgets contributed their 50/50 pot from the game along with boxes of toys and food, and the Eagles peewees also gathered toys and food during their weekend games in Port Hardy and Port McNeill.