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2 Bears That Care Thursday, December 9, 2010 Help those who help others this holiday season There are many community groups, businesses and service agencies busily collecting donations at this time of year to help those less fortunate. The following is a brief rundown of some local groups and their programs. TOYS FOR TOTS The public can donate new, unwrapped toys, cash and/or Canadian Tire money until Dec. 19 at any Canadian Tire location in Halton. Uniform and civilian members of Halton Police volunteer their free time to collect Canadian Tire money, toys and cash donations at Canadian Tire stores. Canadian Tire provides toys at reduced prices to the program. Donate at the Georgetown Canadian Tire store, Georgetown police station, Angel's Diner, Life Chiropractic, Bracky's or Metro food stores. For more information about the Toys for Tots program, contact Michael Skoularicos at 905-634-1831, ext. 4868, or visit www.haltonpolice.ca. UNITED WAY OF HALTON HILLS The 2010 United Way of Halton Hills campaign continues into the new year with campaigning ending in mid-January. However, donations for the campaign, which has a goal of $325,000, are accepted until March, 2011. Residents are encouraged to submit their donation by the end of the year for tax purposes. Those wishing to donate are also reminded to designate their workplace donations (through payroll) back to their home community. The United Way of Halton Hills currently funds 19 local agencies that provide local services and programs. Direct mail brochures were recently mailed out and residents are urged to return the brochure to the United Way with their donation, or call the office at 905-877-3066 to make a donation. Donations can also be made online through the United Way of Canada website: www.unitedway.ca SALLY ANN CHRISTMAS KETTLES Thousands of families are helped each year because The Salvation Army and Friends of the Army take time to stand by a Christmas Kettle during the yuletide season. Kettles can be found at various locations around Halton Hills. LINKS2CARE HOLIDAY HAMPER PROGRAM Donations are now being accepted at Links2Care for its annual Holiday Hamper Program. Hampers of children's clothing and toys are provided to lower income families with children aged 18 and younger, in the Halton Hills community. If you would like to sponsor a family, Links2Care will send you a profile (the ages, sizes, and clothing needs of the children) and then you provide the items on the list. Donations of money and gift cards are very much appreciated as well. Links2Care offices are located at 36A Armstrong Avenue, Georgetown and 47 Mill Street East (use John Street North entrance), Acton. For more information about this program please call Cathy at 519-853-3310. ACTON CHRISTMAS HAMPER PROGRAM The Christmas Hamper program is organized by the Acton Christmas Hamper committee with representation from these Acton groups: The Salvation Army Family Services, St. Vincent Charities of St. Joseph Patron of Canada, Acton Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus Acton. Holiday hampers are provided to those less fortunate. For details on how to help contact Heather Lambert, Office Administrator, The Salvation Army Acton Community Church, 519-853-1140 or email sa.acton@ bellnet.ca. SONGS FOR SUPPER This year, Acton Foodshare food bank released a fundraising compilation CD, Songs For Supper. Songs from 13 local singers and songwriters were chosen to represent a wide range of styles. Local artists include Brent Cooper, Caspian Sawczak, Robbie G, Celidh Barker, Brian Carlo, Happy Hour, Daysleeper, Darren Atherton and Nabi Loney, The Great Wooden Trio, Philip Cottrell, Lance Couri, Windswept Shore, and Don Ablett. The CD is available for $10. All proceeds will go to the Acton Foodshare. For further information, call Acton Foodshare, 519853-0457. JOHNSON ASSOCIATES GIVES BACK Help support individuals and families from the Georgetown, Acton, and Erin food banks with their Christmas lists. Everyone can get involved by stopping by the Johnson Associates office, 247 Guelph St. and picking up a Christmas decoration that has a familiy's wish list on it. Then simply drop the gifts at the office and Johnson staff will take care of the rest. Deadline is Dec. 15. For more details call 905-877-5165. YOUR HOME TODAY FOOD DRIVE Ray Chesher Your Home Today Realty Inc Brokerage, 75 Guelph St. in Georgetown has started a donation book for the local food bank. Drop by anytime with non-perishable food items to make a donation, or staff will come pick up: call 905-877-9001. TURKEY GIVEAWAY Lynn and John Drewry of Re/Max have committed 75 turkeys for the Georgetown Bread Basket. Each turkey with all the trimmings is $50. Donations are being accepted and a tax receipt will be issued. To help a family in these tough times, contact john@lynnandjohn.ca or call 416-580-4080. FOOD DRIVE Dr. Anoop Sayal, family and staff is having its 13th annual Food Drive until December 15. Please drop off non-perishable items to the Marketplace Dental Centre in the Georgetown Marketplace. PENNY DRIVE Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty is holding a Penny Drive until April 30, 2011. Drop coins in the jar located at their office, 324 Guelph St., Georgetown and 50 per cent of the proceeds will go to local Halton Women's Shelter and 50 per cent goes to fund a new program that targets the local high school population with education, introduced into the curriculum and taught by the teachers, to raise awareness about the 4th R (respect in relationships). For more details go to www.royallepage.ca/shelter. GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE Wrap yourself in red this holiday season and give something that can't be bought from a store. Donate blood. It's the gift that someone truly needs. Between December 1 and January 2, Canadian Blood Services must collect over 14,000 blood donations in Central Ontario to help meet the needs of patients. Help by giving blood at the following clinics: Monday, Dec. 13, 2-8 p.m. at Maple Avenue Baptist Church, 177 Maple Ave.; on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2-7:30 p.m. at Acton Legion Hall, 15 Wright Ave.; and on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 4-8 p.m. at Gellert Community Centre, 10241 Eighth Line (Main St. S.). To make an appointment call Canadian Blood Services: 1-888-236-6283. RAIDERS FUNDRAISING GAME Enjoy great hockey at a Georgetown Raiders Jr. A game at Mold-Masters SportsPlex and help raise funds for the Georgetown Hospital at the same time on Wednesday, Dec. 22. A mini-game challenge will be held between periods-- Georgetown Hospital Physicians vs. Georgetown Hospital staff. Info: 905-873-4599 or 905-873-0111 ext 8221 or www.Georgetownhospitalfoundation.ca HALTON LEARNING FOUNDATION GIFT GIVING The Halton Learning Foundation has launched a new initiative this holiday season for Halton residents and companies to help make a difference in the lives of students. The Foundation is encouraging residents to celebrate the holiday season by making a donation. Imagine what a new winter coat can do for a child in need, or provide a musical instrument so everyone in the class can participate together at the same time, or provide a backpack full of school supplies or other items. These special donations will support the Foundation's Eliminating Barriers to Learning Fund, which assists students who are in need as well as to support school initiatives. Visit www.haltonlearningfoundation. ca to select your area of support and make your donation in this holiday season. You may also call 905-335-3665, ext. 3207. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HALTON Don't miss your chance to shop this weekend in the Dan Cooper "Shop for Kids Sake" On-line Auction held in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton, a United Way funded agency. Sports fans can bid for premium Toronto Maple Leaf and Toronto Raptor tickets. You might want to dine at some great area restaurants including Sunday brunch at Glen Abbey Golf Course. Or just get your Christmas shopping started and pick up the perfect gift basket, amazing variety of gift certificates for just about anything or toy for that special person on your list. These items are only the beginning, as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton auction will feature more than 180 items. To log on to the auction go to the auction website at http://auction.bbbshalton. ca/ or through the Big Brothers Big Sisters site at www.bbbshalton.ca and follow the link.