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KSM bringing Christmas Wonders to families by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 13 | Thursday, November 28, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Although Kerr Street Ministries (KSM) has struggled with hard times, it continues to help others in need, especially at Christmas. KSM is in its 11th annual Christmas Wonders and Beyond campaign to help families celebrate the holidays, with food on the table and gifts under the tree, says Gary O'Neill, KSM executive director. In July, O'Neill said if KSM didn't receive significant financial assistance within three months, it would have to consider closing. The Christian charity had a $110,000 deficit from the operational costs of its 485 Kerr St. building and its programs -- all aggravated by economic decline and donor fatigue. In October, a local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, offered to match all KSM donations given in the month, up to $25,000. The benefactor had hoped to inspire others to help -- and it worked. The Mulvale Family Foundation offered to match donations up to $5,000 and Chartwell Baptist Church challenged other groups to match its donation of $8,000 above the institu- tion's regular givings. "We've seen a new level of interest from the community in supporting us and that's fantastic," said O'Neill. "It's really encouraging and a blessing to know that people do care." KSM's warehouse and food bank are stocked, but O'Neill admits KSM still has a long way to go. "It's easy not to see poverty in Oakville, but it does exist and no person or organization is immune to it," he said. "So many people struggle with loneliness and depression because of the wear and tear from worries of not having enough money and food, and not being able to stay in their home." O'Neill said those feelings are often magnified at the holidays. "So, to be able to still come alongside them at Christmas is really important," he said. The Christmas Wonders and Beyond campaign gives families a little extra to help celebrate the holidays. Client families register with KSM and are eligible for gift cards in $25 denominations (up to $75 per person in the family), to be used to buy food and gifts. "What's great about this format is that it gives people the opportunity Kerr Street Ministries Executive Director Gary O'Neill, left, and Christmas Wonders and Beyond Program Co-ordinator Agnes Unger Stassen are organizing Kerr Street Ministries' (KSM) annual holiday program. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) to make choices for themselves and gives mom and dad the chance to be the hero for the kids," said O'Neill, noting every child in a client family will also receive a new pair of pajamas and toy for Christmas morning. This year's fundraising goal for the Christmas Wonders program is $300,000. About $77,000 has been raised so far -- last year the program took in $215,000. Last year, more than 1,000 people were helped through the program, with the number of clients this year expected to be higher. "Our numbers for our food bank have increased in the last five months, it's busier than we've ever been," O'Neill said. "In a general month for the food bank, we look after approximately 300 families, so we expect the number of clients who sign up for the Christmas Wonders program to be around that number." Although the donations will be distributed to families in time for Christmas, the Christmas Wonders and Beyond program will continue to run until the end of December. For more information, contact Agnes Unger Stassen at 905-845-7485, visit www.kerrstreet.com, or send a tax-deductible donation to Kerr Street Ministries, 485 Kerr St., Oakville, Ont., L6K 3C6 -- KSM's charitable registration number is 89710 6845 RR0001. ­ with files from the Oakville Beaver Included. You asked. We listened. Celebrity Cruises® all included! Get it while you can! 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