Volunteers will be spending the next few days sorting and organizing all of the donations collected during Saturday’s The Gift holiday drive.
Thousands of residents fanned out across Chatham-Kent on Saturday, picking up donations door-to-door across the municipality to help support groups like Chatham Goodfellows, Salvation Army, food banks, the Chatham-Kent Women’s Shelter, and more.
Spokesman Brent Wilken says now it’s time for the real work – making sure everyone who needs a helping hand over the holidays gets it.
“Now is when we have the opportunity of a lifetime, we all have equal opportunity to find that person that’s in need that won’t go on a list,” Wilken says. “It’s on each of us if we want to start that conversation with a friend that might not be able to a afford presents for their loved one or their kids this year.”
While local agencies help thousands of people in need in our community, Wilken says there are so many others who fall through the cracks.
“My opinion is the agencies that can only reach about a third of the real need, because many won’t go on the lists for various reasons,” Wilken says. “Only citizens and neighbours can find the rest. We guarantee to have the something for you or them.”
Wilken is encouraging everyone in Chatham-Kent to touch base with friends and neighbours to see if anyone needs a helping hand to make it through the holidays.
If you know someone who needs help or still have a donation to give, email [email protected].
