Christmas sponsorship 2015 Our clients express it best…

(Actual excerpt from a 2013 client thank you letter)

Charitable #: 10672-9403-RR0001

Christmas 2015 Dear Friend of Community Care, Thru the incredible generosity of our community, we strive to make sure that tummies are filled…that beds are kept warm and lights are kept on…that many shelter needs are met…and families enjoy a Christmas dinner, with presents under the tree. Community Care is doing its’ utmost to ensure families in need experience some of the joy of the holidays. We can only do this through the thoughtfulness of people such as you. It is our hope that you will partner with us, in making Christmas wishes come true…

…because we all need a little j

y!

We have variety of Christmas sponsorship programs and together we can create the flexibility that will suit you best. Please contact Community Care to discuss the program(s) that you would like to be involved in, or, to receive more extensive information. Remember that no donation is too small. Everything matters.

Sincerely,

Betty-Lou Souter CEO

Christmas sponsorship …making the choice to make a difference. Imagine having to choose: Pay for the rent and keep a roof over your head or purchase food to feed your family? Pay the utility bill. Will it be to keep the heat or lights on? Pay the extraordinary medical bill, for a child or senior in need? Many low-income families find themselves having to make those very choices.

Please choose one of the following programs, or combination… 1. be a shining star 2. adopt an angel 3. adopt a teen or a senior angel 4. keep someone warm 5. adopt a family 6. fill a barrel

…these programs only happen with your help.

*Please note all inquiries for Thorold should be directed to Maxine Parshotam by calling 905.227.9240 or by email at [email protected]*

1. be a shining star ! Give the Gift that will make the difference to approximately 3,000 local families this Christmas! We require significant financial support to ensure all our programs are able to meet the needs of those registered.

Please give to the shining star monetary campaign. ANY and ALL donations are gratefully accepted.

Tax receipts are available for $10 and over.

how to donate  On-line at www.communitycarestca.ca  Call 905 685 1349 to donate by Visa or MasterCard  Cheques are payable to Community Care and may be mailed or dropped off to: Community Care, 12 North Street, P.O. Box 575, St. Catharines, L2R 6W8 OR 19 Albert Street, West, Thorold, L2V 2G2  Monthly Donations: Your gift can help all the year through. Please include void cheque, Visa or MasterCard number with amount or indicate when you donate on-line.

For more information regarding monetary gift giving… Please contact: Laura Byers, Fund Development Officer [email protected]

your gift Families can be under an enormous amount of financial pressure, especially during the holidays. Many teens in school also work to help their families, while others live away from home…some on their own. Add to this, the aging population; grandparents living in the home …or alone. Together with your family, business, organization…or even as an individual wishing to contribute, you can make a significant difference to a child’s, teen’s or senior’s Christmas memory.

2. adopt an angel Thru the Adopt an Angel Program, toys and stocking stuffers are collected for children from babies to 12 years of age.

3. adopt a teen or a senior angel Backpacks or bags on wheels are filled with necessities and goodies and distributed individuals who are likely to be forgotten during the holidays.

4. keep someone warm In lieu of or in addition to adopt an angel donations…NEW hats, gloves, coats, boots, slippers PJ’s, socks, long underwear… warm clothing for ALL ages allows Community Care to distribute warm holiday gifts as well as replenishing clothing shelves into the New Year. To Adopt and angel, teen or senior contact Danielle Cook at [email protected]

5. ad pt a family Approximately 100 families, of the 3,000 families registered for Christmas, are afforded the extraordinary opportunity to be privately adopted by a family, group or business.

GUIDELINES: Please expect the average overall cost to be approximately $100 per person including gifts for each child, a small parent gift and the appropriate grocery voucher. Please contact Shannon ext 235 [email protected] for a full description of the program and a sponsorship request sheet. Once you have determined and advised us of the family size you wish to support, we will begin the process of matching you with a registered family. Once that match is made, a wish list will be forwarded to you and the shopping begins! Your delivery will be arranged for the 2nd week of December.

6. fill a barrel Upon request, we will deliver and pick up barrels that can be filled with non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, toys and clothing. At this special time of year we ask that all clothing and toys be NEW only. Please contact Wayne ext 242 [email protected] to schedule a barrel! NOTE…our trucks are VERY busy at this time of year… please give us ample notice to ensure efficient deliveries and pick-ups

creative holiday ways to Give… When you include Giving in your “Holiday Traditions”, you have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life.

Imagine the Joy You will Feel! Feel Joy when thoughtfully presenting a Gift of Honour….a remarkable way to say thank you to a favourite teacher, boss, relative or that “hard to get for” person on your list…while making a difference to families in need. Personalized messages in festive formats are available upon request, along with tax receipts to those giving or those being honoured. In your heart Feel Joy when remembering a special person through a Memorial Gift. If you wish, we will notify someone of your thoughts and generosity, when provided with their full name and address. Personalized messages, for a card, are welcomed. The “Secret Santas” at your Employers Holiday Party, will Feel Joy when giving a small gift…NEW warm winter accessories-hats, mitts, gloves, socks, slippers…toiletries, stocking stuffers…or cash donations that will ensure vital programs…to be donated to Community Care under your company name. “Girlfriend Get Togethers” always Feel Joy after shopping for women and children who may not experience the wonderfulness of the season. Small unwrapped gifts or monetary contributions (which we will use towards their dinner) will brighten holidays. Have a Feel Joy Open House! Please consider requesting non-perishable food or toiletries, in lieu of a hostess gift. Donations will assist the over 8,000 households…53% are children…who we predict will be registered at Community Care in the next year. Feel Joy during “Dress Down Days”, knowing that your donations are directed towards essential services, including vision, dental and medical prescriptions which our clients may otherwise have to choose to do without. “Pay the rent or the medical expense?” Invite Family, Friends and Fellow Colleagues to Feel Joy along with you through your Facebook, Twitter or email. Don’t forget to send our Joyful e cards to someone special when making donations on-line…available at www.communitycarestca.ca! Create a Food, New Winter Accessories, Toy, and/or Toiletry Collection Drive on behalf of Community Care in your apartment building, residence or company. Community Care will drop off and pick up barrels labeled with specific requests. Everyone will Feel Joy! PS…we would love to hear your ideas to share with others!!

This is how Community Care responds through your generosity. VISION: Our vision is for a healthy, caring community where everyone lives with dignity and purpose

What began in 1919 as food and clothing assistance has grown to 17 programs FOOD SECURITY FOOD Bank: What started as soup prepared in Leone Taylor’s kitchen has grown to the distribution of 4,000 pounds of food per day to approximately 1,850 households per month. Savoury Samples: Samples, recipes in a bag offered to clients once each week. Community Gardens: 30 garden plots are tended by Community Care families.

HOUSING SECURITY Housing Supports: Access to shelter supports, including landlord mediation. (Community Care works directly with ALL other Housing Organizations, working alongside agencies and landlords throughout The Region of Niagara) Trusteeship Program: Direct distribution of support funds and money management. (Working alongside ALL agencies within The Region of Niagara except Port Colborne and Fort Erie-however we are here to assist) Youth Trusteeship Program: Enables youth aged 16-24 to stay in school. (Working alongside ALL agencies within The Region of Niagara) ID Clinic: New and replacement ID. (Working alongside ALL agencies within The Region of Niagara) Utility Assistance: Assistance to keep the lights and heat on.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS Medical/Dental/Vision Care: Requests are assessed & supported based on need & available resources. Clothing & Household Goods: 1919 to present. Baby Layette Program: New babes are welcomed with their own layette. Snacks & Sneakers Back to School Program: Back to school snacks, sneakers, backpacks, one week of healthy snacks. Approximately 1,300 registered children were outfitted in 2013. Birthday Program: Gifts are provided to children under 10 years of age. Christmas: 1953 to present- the May Court Club helps with distribution of new toys. 1961 to present-the Community Care began the Christmas food voucher program. Over 3,000 individuals and families assisted in 2013 through the generosity of our community. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program: 482 children participated in sporting activities last year. Income Tax Clinics: 440 low income earners were provided assistance by trained income tax volunteers in 2014. Niagara Nutrition Partners Program: Distributing snacks, breakfast or lunch to 13,000 students each school day (Throughout the entire Region of Niagara)