BARRHEAD - Barrhead's Santa's Toy Box program has received a welcome Christmas present, which will allow the program to help even more people.
On Dec. 7, a delegation from the Ripple Connection Support Centre (RCSC) presented FCSS with a $5,500 cheque for Barrhead's Santa's Toy Box, a program that ensures children in need receive a Christmas present.
Barrhead's FCSS differs from most in that it is a not-for-profit society run independently, and as such, it can offer programs outside the regular umbrella of FCSS.
The RCSC is a not-for-profit organization, which opened in 2010, provides services for people who directly suffer from mental illness as well as their families and caregivers.
RCSC executive director Tracy Whitten said the organization wanted to share their good fortune over the holiday season.
"Our thrift store is doing quite well, and as a result, we have more than what we need at the moment, so we decided to pass on the wealth to another charity," she said.
After a discussion, the RCSC board decided that they would essentially "adopt" 10 families and provide Christmas for them.
Community and volunteer development coordinator Rae Whiting said RCSC's donation will not allow the organization to adopt the families, per se.
"We have an adoption program that allows people to adopt families, but it is a little more involved," she said.
Whiting noted that those who decide to adopt a family receive a general information sheet about their family. They are tasked with picking up all the items they need to host a holiday celebration, including a holiday meal.
This year 17 groups or individuals have stepped forward to adopt a family.
In this case, Whiting said FCSS, through Santa's Toy Box, will do all the legwork for the Ripple, eliciting the aid of its sister program, the Christmas hamper, to ensure the families will receive all they need for a festive holiday celebration.
"Their gift is just amazing," Whiting said. "We appreciate it so much and so will the families whose Christmas will be enhanced through their generosity."
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
