This Christmas, our community has once again come together to support those who may need a helping hand.
Here are a few organizations that step up and make a positive difference for many people and families in our region during the Christmas holidays, and some ways you can support them.
The Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre is one of Slave Lake’s leading groups that helps people and families, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year. It operates the local food bank and has a used clothing store. This year, SLNFC organized the winter clothing drive, which relies on clothing donations from the community. The good news is that it received enough coats for kids and adults to stay warm.
At Christmas, SLNFC is the home for Santa’s Anonymous, an initiative that offers a Christmas dinner food hamper and toys for kids program. In 2021 they delivered 238 hampers and 389 gifts, and this year they are gearing up for even more hampers and toys for children. The Vanderwell Family Foundation is excited to be a Santa’s Anonymous donor in 2022.
To donate to this wonderful program yourself, stop by the SL Native Friendship Centre at 416 – 6 Ave NE in Slave Lake, or call (780) 849-3039 for more information.
The Slave Lake Homeless Coalition is holding a Dignity Drive from November 20 to December 15 and requires hygiene products (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, feminine hygiene, socks and underwear.)
People can drop off their donation at the Slave Lake Public Library. Anyone interested in supporting the Coalition in other ways may call (780) 843-5144.
The emergency women’s shelter in Slave Lake, the Northern Haven Support Society, has the Purple Tree of Giving up in Servus Credit Union 12 days before Christmas.
For anyone who would like to make a donation, Servus Credit Union is located at 300 Main Street, North in Slave Lake.
Even though the deadline has passed for donating to some Christmas initiatives, we still want to recognize and support these groups’ efforts. Two local businesses worked together to support Santas for Seniors to ensure all seniors in our local community had a gift for Christmas.
The Fix Coffee Bar and Bakery had a Christmas tree with gift tags for seniors that customers could take, purchase a gift and then drop it off at Creative Goods and Co.
We know there are many other groups and individuals in the Slave Lake area who make a difference in people’s lives during the Christmas season, and we want to acknowledge their kindness and generosity.
A big thanks to all the local knitters and crocheters who made Toques for Kids for the Slave Lake Rotary Club to give to students at C.J. Schurter School.
And before we go, if you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity that makes a difference in someone’s life throughout winter, people are needed to remove snow for seniors.
Contact Tammy if you’re interested, (780) 849-8031 or tammy@slavelake.ca
~From everyone at Vanderwell – Employees, Contractors, and Vanderwell family members ~
