WESTLOCK — Thanks to $10,000 in donations, the Westlock and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Christmas Spirit campaign helped just under 270 people over the holidays.
The annual campaign, which saw residents apply for the program between Nov. 14 and Dec. 9, distributed toys, and grocery gift cards Dec. 14-16 at the Rotary Spirit Centre as families were given an opportunity to schedule an appointment to shop for their children over the three-day period.
“We have had over $10,000 donated and that’s exactly the amount we purchased the grocery cards for,” said executive director Tracy Proulx, noting that the gift cards start at $100 for individuals and vary for families depending on the size.
This year was an average year, said Proulx, pointing out the program usually serves between 260 and 330 people and this year helped 268. The campaign provided individuals with a grocery gift card while families received both grocery gift cards and gifts for children.
The program is entirely funded by the community, with monetary donations to purchase grocery gift cards and toys donated to the FCSS as well.
In addition to collecting donations at several locations around town, including public places and local businesses, residents also dropped off toys and cash at the FCSS office and donated through the Town of Westlock website. Every year, part of the campaign includes the adopt-a-family program where groups, organizations, businesses or sometimes families adopt a family and buy the gifts and grocery cards for a particular family.
“Anonymously they get to know what to shop for and they bring it to us, and the families come and pick it up so there’s no cross over between the adoptees and the adopters,” explained Proulx. “So out of those 62 families that were approved, 25 of those families were adopted out.”
The Christmas Spirit campaign is an important program for the community she noted, adding donations are collected for the campaign year-round.
“We were expecting for the needs to be higher (this year), but it was really a typical year for us,” said Proulx. “Our community is very generous and very supportive for our families that are in need. It’s always heartwarming to see how the community pulls together.”
