By Jenna Jensen
Contributor
Many activities and events are just beginning as Sparwood residents prepare for a busy, yet rewarding month giving back to their community through the Food Bank and Toys for Tots programs.
Already underway are $5 food packages for purchase and donation drop off boxes at Sparwood's Overwaitea Foods, which will go to locals in need this month and the months ahead. Another great, and much anticipated fundraiser for the Food Bank will be the arrival of the CP Holiday Train. The train will be making a stop in Sparwood on Tuesday, December 10 at 3:45 p.m. Melanie Doane and Matt Dusk will be the featured performers and the Sparwood Lions Club will be selling hot chocolate at the event.
Helping out children in the community will see the start of the annual Angel Tree Program, allowing residents to take a name tag off a tree with the gender and age of a child, purchase a gift and return the gift for distribution. Angel Trees can be found at the Sparwood Public Library and the Sparwood Leisure Center.
Lights and sirens this Sunday will signify the Sparwood Emergency Services house to house food and new toy drive beginning at 5:30 p.m. with all proceeds staying local.
Also taking place this December, will be the 'Light up a Life' campaign organized by the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce, and Rosenau/K&K's annual 18 Wheels of Christmas.
"We receive tremendous support from all sectors of the community from New to You, schools, churches, the Chamber of Commerce, the District of Sparwood, large and small businesses, unions, service clubs, emergency services, sporting groups, and numerous individuals, says Carol Walmsley, Sparwood Food Bank coordinator. “This generous support enables us to operate during the holiday season, and throughout the year. We usually have between fifty and sixty requests each month and deliver one hundred Christmas hampers, helping over two hundred local individuals. Toys for Tots provides Christmas gifts for approximately sixty children and during the year and the program provides funding so that the children it serves can participate in community activities.
For more information on the Food Bank, please contact Carol Walmsley at (250) 425-6435. Edie Holland can be reached at (250) 425-6554 regarding the Toys for Tots Program and Cindy Larson can be reached at (250) 425-0087 regarding the Emergency Services Food & New Toys Drive.
"On behalf of the Food Bank and Toys for Tots Program we would like to sincerely thank the residents of the community for their generous support as we work to ensure that everyone has a wonderful holiday season," says Walmsley.
The Sparwood Food Bank is a registered charity and a strictly volunteer run organization. Tax receipts can be issued for all cash donations