Mac Olsen
Express Staff
@SmokyRiverExprs
The Smoky River Family and Community Support Services’ Christmas Voucher Program will be able to make the holiday season merrier for many, courtesy of the efforts like the members for the Falher Friendship Corner Association.
Applications were available Nov. 1 and the deadline to apply was Dec. 7. Smoky River FCSS, located in the Town of Falher administration office, received over 75 applications this year. Their office conducted a fundraising campaign as part of the Christmas Voucher Program.
“We’re encouraging monetary donations,” says executive director Georgia Dubois. “We purchase gifts for children 17 and under.”
Smoky River FCSS no longer provides food hampers as part of their Christmas campaign. Instead, the applicants receive vouchers to buy from the local grocery stores.
Honouring the late Marie-Paule Cecile Boily
Members of the Falher Friendship Corner Association participated in purchasing toys for FCSS in the memory of Marie-Paule Cecile Boily, who passed away in January 2015.
Throughout the year Marie-Paule would save all of her change, then purchase toys at Christmas. The staff and members wanted to keep this tradition going.
This year, Doris Snider donated the monies collected from the vendor tables at the Christmas show in Guy, which totaled $435. This donation, along with community members and staff donations, totaled approximately $700. Ashley Tardif organized the schedules for the members to go shop at the local Co-op store for most of the gifts and they received 10 per cent off all purchases.
“It is great to see that a local business got behind our cause,” says Tardif. “Having seen great success, the Falher Friendship Corner Association would like to keep this a yearly tradition. Thank you to all of those that participated and Merry Christmas from all of us!!”
Still a high need at Christmas
While the Christmas Voucher Program will help meet the needs of many this holiday season, there are still individuals and families that require the regular food bank services.
Dubois encourages those in need to apply for the food hampers. Just drop in at the FCSS office in Falher and fill out an application. She also encourages the public to make donations.
For more information, call the FCSS office at (780) 837-2220, and keep up to date by checking their Facebook page.
The FCSS office will be closed from Dec. 16, 2016 to Jan. 3, 2017.
