‘It is a tough time of year’
Salvation Army Christmas assistance registration begins today
Year after year Cape Bretoners continue to give generously to the Christmas Daddies telethon that captures the attention of local television viewers during the first weekend of December.
Distributing the proceeds from that popular program begins this week when the Salvation Army asks people to register for Christmas assistance.
“When they register, we ask them to give a wish for their child or list something their child is interested in. Some people can’t think of something right off but say ‘they love Barbie’ or ‘love crafts,’” said Nicole MacLean, the community ministries co-ordinator for the Salvation Army Sydney Community Church.
“We take from those applications and go shopping.”
Names for this Christmas will be gathered during five registration sessions over the next two weeks at the church on Inglis Street. People then return to the church in December to pick out toys for their children.
If 50 people, for example, list arts and crafts interests on their application, then the church will have a large amount of arts and crafts on hand for toy distribution day.
“When they come in they already know what they put on a list and know what their child likes and we have that there,” she said.
“They get to go and actually pick out that gift, which gives them their dignity. It’s not a toy that we decided their kids will like, threw it in a bag and gave it to them. They get to come in and pick out what their
“They get to go and actually pick out that gift, which gives them their dignity. It’s not a toy that we decided their kids will like, threw it in a bag and gave it to them. They get to come in and pick out what their child likes.”
Nicole MacLean, community ministries co-ordinator, Salvation Army Sydney Community Church
child likes.”
Registration dates are Tuesday and Wednesday of this
week and then Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 of next week from 9 a.m. until noon each day at the Salvation Army Sydney Community Church, 55 Inglis Street, Sydney.
If you can’t make those daytime dates, a fifth registration day will be on Nov. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the same location.
Distribution day will be Dec. 21.
Because anyone can be in a difficult financial situation at Christmas, MacLean said the program is open to just about everyone.
“It’s a such a misconception that it is for people on welfare or community services,”
she said. “That’s not what the Christmas program is about. There’s a lot of people who have an income, who are working, but it is a tough time of year.”
The upcoming registration dates will also cover the Salvation Army Christmas hamper program, which provides several meals at Christmas, including a complete turkey dinner.
Generally speaking, MacLean said families usually apply for gifts and a hamper, while single people only apply for a hamper. Overall, more than 300 are offered assistance each year.
Those applying this year are reminded to bring identification
for every member of your family (health cards) and proof of address.
Applications can’t be processed without all documentation.