Combined effort
Combined Christmas Cheer credits community for continued success in helping families
For the past 34 years, Ruby Pye has been volunteering her time for the annual Combined Christmas Cheer program — something she wouldn’t miss for the world.
“I love helping people,” said Pye, who will celebrate her 84th birthday today. “I know what it feels like to be poor because I came from a family of 13 — I wish there was a place like this where we could have went.”
Pye, a Sydney Mines resident, continues to volunteer today with the program.
“It makes you happy when you can help, and so far my health is well and I can do it.”
The Combined Christmas Cheer program began 34 years ago with the goal of helping less fortunate families in the Sydney Mines, Florence and Bras d’Or communities.
The program offers groceries to those families registered in order for them to have a special Christmas dinner during the holiday season. Knitted mittens, hats, socks and scarves are also available for those in need.
“Needy people in the community were going to the churches and it just wasn’t the way for things to run,” said volunteer Evelyn Wells. “People were complaining and the churches really couldn’t provide because that’s not what churches do, so Christmas Cheer was formed and it’s still going strong.”
Over the years, Christmas Cheer has made many changes including adding the option of adopting a family as part of the program, which usually comes from individuals, businesses and organizations.
“We usually have over 20 families adopted,” said Wells. “We get wish lists from the mothers and we co-ordinate and get everything together and there are a couple of us that deliver.”
The families receive most
everything noted on the list, said Wells.
“It depends on who’s doing the adopting, they usually want games for Xbox and PlayStation — they usually get it too — they get boots and jackets and everything they dream of.”
This year, the Combined Christmas Cheer committee expects to provide 250 families with groceries for Christmas.
All families will receive hamburger, canned fruit, canned milk, Stovetop dressing, vegetables and candy as part of their package. All food purchased at Foodland in Sydney Mines.
“We see the hardship that people have at Christmas time and it’s wonderful to see how appreciative they are and it makes the hard work worth it.”
Wells credits the community for the continued success of the program each year.
“We have never had a problem financially because we do canvasing, a letter goes out to all businesses, service clubs and churches and the money always seems to come in,” said Wells. “We don’t charge anything — the community support is overwhelming.”
On Tuesday, a group of 25 volunteers gathered at the Sydney Mines Food Bank to help prepare the groceries for distribution day.
“Everyone steps up every single
year and it’s because of the community and our wonderful volunteers that we’re able to exist and provide this service,” said Wells.
With Christmas only days
away, groceries will be handed out to those families registered today at the Sydney Mines Food Bank.
As for Pye, she said she doesn’t plan on stopping volunteering,
noting she will continue to be part of the program as long as she can.