Charities calling out for Welland's angels
Angel Giving Tree collects toys for less fortunate
A group of charities in Welland are banding together to help make Christmas a little better for some of the city's less fortunate and are calling for a little help.
Last week, the Salvation Army's Angel Giving Tree was set up again by the customer service desk at the Woodlawn Walmart. As it has through its partnership with the retailer for a number of years, the Salvation Army is inviting shoppers to pick out a tag and purchase the gift of a children's toy, marking on the tag the age for which the toy is intended.
Cheryl Moore, program services co-ordinator at the Salvation Army, said her organization has partnered with three others — the Hope Centre, St. Vincent de Paul Society and Community Toys, in order to make sure their efforts aren't duplicated and to cast as wide a net as possible. For instance, she said, while the Salvation Army and Community Toys have a focus on children, the other charities are providing assistance for singles and couples without children.
"We joined together in town to make it a Welland community Christmas," she said.
The Salvation Army is currently registering families who would like assistance over the holidays. Registration is open at their office at the Seaway Mall (800 Niagara St., Unit JJ), Mondays 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. and Thursdays and Fridays 1-3 p.m. until Nov. 30.
The charity is also looking for family sponsorships — those who would make the commitment to adopt a family for the holidays.
They typically match 90-100 families with sponsors and provide assistance to a further 250 through their general collection.
For more information, call 905-735-5700.