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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, D ecem ber 2 2 , 2 0 1 6 | 20 KSM is hoping Christmas Wonders will happen by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff With more people than ever on its wish list, time is running short for Kerr Street Mission' s (KSM) annual Christmas Wonders and Be yond program. W hile som e donors have come forward, the fundraising campaign still has a ways to go before reaching its $350,000 goal. As of Monday (Dec. 19), $235,000 has been raised so far. "Our Christmas Wonders Campaign here at KSM is going well, but w e are still a long way from our goal... w e need $350,000 in order to help our clients this Christmas and in the new year," said program co-ordinator Agnes Unger Stassen. The program, sees families registered with KSM, receive gift cards so that parents can shop for presents for their own children -- so the youths get what they need, and what they want. "For m ost of us, Christmas is filled with joy, extravagant gifts and lots and lots of food. And yet for others in our community, it is a time of despair and hopelessness," said Unger Stassen. "As others are celebrating and enjoying the season, they are left with the reality that they are unable to provide for their families and they have little to celebrate. At Kerr Street From left, Agnes Unger Stassen, co-ordinator of Kerr Street Mission's (KSM) Christmas Wonders and Beyond program, Oakville MP John Oliver and KSM Executive Director Gary O'Neill at KSM Monday (Dec. 19) afternoon, as Oliver delivered hats, mitts and scarves donated by his constituents for those in need. | Jayson Mills photo Mission, w e come alongside people to make this a season of joy, hope and love." Unger Stassen noted there has been a dra matic increase in the number of those needing help. Approximately 100 families use the m ission' s food bank and are participating in its Com m unity Meal and Kids N Me pro grams. W hen the holiday program began 14 years ago, between 20-30 families were assisted through it, now it serves nearly 400 families. There are more than 26,000 people living below the poverty line in Oakville' s Kerr area, according to KSM, w hich indicates every dol lar raised by the Christmas Wonders program translates into $1.09. KSM breaks down donations and how those donations can directly help client families: · $50 purchases two food cards for a fam ily; · $100 purchases a food card and Christ mas gift; · $500 provides the "Christmas in a Box" for a larger family; · $1,500 provides "Christmas and Beyond" support for a struggling family for one year. To participate in KSM' s Christmas Wonders and Beyond program, or for more details, visit www.kerrstreet.net/christmas-wonders, call 905-845-7485, ext. 208 with credit card information, or mail a cheque to Kerr Street Mission, 485 Kerr St., Oakville, ON, L6K 3C6. For nearly 20 years, KSM has been serving low-income and at-risk families and youths. Originally a small food share co-operative, KSM has evolved to provide needed programs and services for families through community dinners, its food bank and after-school/dropin programs. DECK THE HALLS I WITH GUITARS!! I ©YAMAHA WagJag Sign up Online W agJag.com o w » .S B S K S « w « * S IS S E R Ii L r L M J i-- MUSIC LESSONS Guitar, P ia n o , D r u m s , Vocal S S S & N *® W NO CONTRACTS PRIVATE - ONE ON ONE W1AGES WELCOME Buy Online: 905-257-3110 ·theguitarw orldoakville.com 380 D undas St. E. (at Trafalgar Rd., in L o n g o 's Plaza) Brought to you by 46% off $35. $35 FOR A 3-COURSE AUTHENTIC PUB PRIX FIXE DINNER FOR 2 AT UPTOWN TAVERN IN BURLINGTON (A $56 VALUE) ·IpHs S kSs S. BirtigtonPost Chairpon Ftantjora^ Review OakvieBeaver