The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Peacekeeper Spends Christmas in Bosnia The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, December 21,1994 3 w* Salvation Army volunteers are still welcoming donations to their ahnual Christmas kettle drive. Proceeds go to help needy families in the community. Mrs. Captain Heather Harbin was on duty at the Canadian Canadian Tire last Thursday. food and Toy Drive Helps 240 Clarinoton Families Salvation Army "Kettles" j A Christmas Tradition 3 by Lorraine Manfredo You can catch a glimpse of his uniform in between parting crowds 6Ï frazzled shoppers and see him quietly thank another kind soul who drops a dollar in his kettle. "j Over the din of pedestrian traffic hear die occasional jangle of Continued fromPage One lions Bosnians endure: "Some of the things I've seen are enough to turn a dry eye wet. At lot of the houses arc in ruins and those that are not arc close enough to it. The thought of trying to raise a family in such a place boggles the mind. Although some of the people look weak and disheveled, in truth they must be stronger than anyone I have ever met. What strength it must take to live day by day in a place that has been tom apart by war, poverty and famine.' Louise says: "It is a great honor for him to go and represent his country." She adds that Canadians are highly respected in Bosnia. Warren trained at the Oshawa Armories Reserve, at Meaford and at Camp Borden before going overseas. overseas. His job with the Royal Canadian Canadian Dragoons is to meet convoys of food and supplies destined for the victims of the war. His battalion's mission is humanitarian. It is to protect protect the supplies and ensure they get into the right hands. To show support for his efforts, a group of school children at Lord Elgin Elgin Public School in Bowmanville has mailed off a batch of hand-made Christinas cards to Warren. According According to Grade One teacher Mrs. Me- raw, who used to live near the Wright family, the children included personal notes asking what it was like to ride in a jet and whether it snows in Bosnia. Warren is sure to appreciate the cards. "He's pleased to get anything from home," his mother says. "He is really touched by even the simplest things -Things that might not seem much to us, but that really touch his heart" Several area churches have remembered remembered Warren Wright in their services and prayers and this is a real support to her son, she says. Mrs. Wright herself is sending The Grade One students of Mrs. Meraw's class at Lord Elgin Pub- over a package with all kinds of he School made Christmas cards for Warren Wright, a Canadian comforts: photographs, books, writ- peacekeeper stationed in Bosnia. The children have sent the cards to ing paper, camouflage pen, Santa l he Bowmanville man in hopes of making his Christmas away from candle, candy cane, gum and choco- home a happier one. latcs. She suggests the Bosnian conflict Grade One Class Sends Cards to Soldier has become personalized now, not only for her family and Warren's friends, but for the whole town. "The reality of the situation has come home to us because Warren is from Bowmanville. We are drawn into the middle of the conflict now." you lus tambourine. He never asks for donations, never targets potential donors, but somehow, shoppers seem to find him. They smile and say Merry Christmas as they elbow over to make a contribution. 3 Captain Wilf Harbin of the Clar- ijjgton Salvation Army says the kettles kettles (or bubbles) have been a part of the Canadian Christmas tradition of giving since the early 1900's when tlje idea spread from San Francisco. ■j "People are particularly receptive tQ the Salvation Army at Christ- rrjas," he says. "They sec the work the Salvation Army docs and this gbes back to assistance to the veterans veterans of the Second World War. The Sjtlvalion Army has always been in the spotlight at Christmas." > Last year, $9,000 was raised through die kettle drive. But Capt. Harbin worries that the continued economic recession will hurt a bit lijis year. "We're a little under target," target," he says. All the money from the kettle drive goes directly to family family services programs year round, such as summer camps and hampers. hampers. Z Family Services Co-ordinator Isabelle Isabelle Jones is busy with die annual Christmas Food and Toy Drive which will help more than 240 needy families in Clarington. That's about as many as last year, but this year there is an increase increase in the number of single parent parent families on the list. ? Applications for aid are taken in person at the Family Services office ojt Church Street. Following an interview, interview, where the children's ages, clothing sizes (and any likes and dislikes) arc noted, the family may be put on the list to receive a Christinas Christinas hamper widi food and toys. « "We provide a food basket and vve try to put in two gifts for every child under 16," says Mrs. Jones. "We will also put in some knitted hats and mitts from various ladies' auxiliaries and churches." ' The circumstances that cause people to approach die Salvation Army for assistance arc varied, Mrs. Jones notes. Many hope to struggle through on their own but decide to come in for the sake of tiicir children. children. \ "We help not only die people on fixed incomes such as social security, security, but we also assist people who ltÿvc been used to two wages and nÔw find dicmsclvcs down to one. T(icy may have bought a house and nôw just don't have enough income t» keep up the payments on the home and have to move. "We have a lot of young women with children whose husbands or coresidents coresidents have left them and they have no choice -- they're on mother's mother's allowance. This year we have a lot of one-parent families." Financial hardship is difficult enough over the course of the year, she says, but with the added expectations expectations Christmas brings, many parents parents welcome the help the Salvation Army offers. One of the Family Services Services programs planned for the new year is a Parents' Support Group where issues such as budgeting, nutrition, nutrition, and fun family activities will be addressed. "We are stressing the need for toys at this point in the drive,",Mrs. Jones notes, although non- perishable food items are still welcomed. welcomed. Toys are especially in short supply for kids aged 10-13. Permanent Permanent drop boxes are located at the Bowmanville Memorial Hospital and at Community Care. Seasonal boxes are set up at downtown banks, Shell gas stations, at the A& P grocery grocery store, and this year there is an outdoor box on Andelwood Court in the residential community off Old Scugog Rd. just north of Bowmanville. Bowmanville. Hampers will be discreetly delivered delivered the Friday before Christmas. "That way we still have the Saturday Saturday if there's a big storm," notes Mrs. Jones. For further information, call the Salvation Army at: 623-2185. f Lordy, Lordy, Quess Who's 40 F Oïappy (Birthday "LittCe yedozu (Bird" Love., 9domand(Dad -Y Café Cosima Authentic taste of German food in a COSY atmosphere. Christmas Eve Dinner 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. New Year's Eve Gala Buffet $29.95 per person New Year's Day Brunch 12 noon - 4 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11a.m. - 2 p.m. Call for Reservations 697-2475 We welcome business events and parties up to 135 people Liberty Sl 1IOWMANVILLE . \CAFE COSIMA | T > \ „ n 1 1 Baseline to Peterborough --4 115 Flying T1 i*=l S v> Dutchman Hotel 1 1 71 Mcams Court 4-- to Toronto 401 to Kingston --t 71 Mearns Crt. Bowmanville 697-2475 © A Christmas WISH For You! Here's hoping that all of your wishes come true in this most magical of seasons! Merry Christmas and thanks to all! Mother Mod Custom Draperies and Interiors 34B King St. W. Bowmanville 623-2826 with Elizabeth Belanger-Linkletter CTC Let's Take the Kids #3 Another aspect of planning is to consider the peak travel times and ensure you make your travel arrangements well in advance. All of you who are reading this HAVE finalized your Christmas travel plans and are now considering considering your March break options, those who are really organized have gotten both arrangements in place. The festive season spent away from home can be a great way to take advantage of the long school holiday, and there is nothing quite as relaxing as laying on a white sandy beach, knowing if you were at home you would be shoveling white flakes of snow. If your family thrives on the traditional festivities of the season, season, select a resort or cruise that create this atmosphere. Cruise lines and ski resorts put extra effort into this. Why not suggest grandparents join in the fun celebrating celebrating with you away from home, take my word for it; whether skiing or cruising a holiday holiday away with the whole family is a time for you to all relax, rejuvenate rejuvenate and put things back into perspective. Finally, share the planning with the whole family, some of the most tender times for us are spent with our grandchildren looking over every brochure for that just right vacation, even if Mickey ana Minnie sometimes win out. What ever you have planned, have a safe and happy holiday. If you have travel tips that you want to share in this column, call Blessings Travel Centre. Remember, when you think of Travel, Think of Blessings Travel Centre Vanstone Mill Amj 623-0005 V Just Window Shopping? PRESEMT THIS AD FOR STOREWIDE SAVINGS1 This promotion onds Dec, 31/1994. 1618 DUNDAS ST. E., WHITBY MON-FRI 9:30-9:00 SAT 9:30-6:00 SUN 11:00-5:00 FREE LOCAL DELIVERY FOR SENIORS! Swivel Rockers from $159 Wing Back Chairs from..$199 Gliders from $269 Heavy Duty Recliners from..$299 Specials in this piomo may not bo used with any other promotion. ' ® /(fit Q u < 'Iqlj À DUNDAS ST. (HWY, 2)