Local families are getting help for the holidays thanks to the House Youth Centre and Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission.
The House Youth Centre sponsored eight local families with program director Morghan Shearon dropping off bags of wrapped presents for the families.
Shearon said it was the fourth year The House sponsored families through the mission. They received a $5,000 contribution from Enbridge, which allowed The House to have youth team leaders purchasing gifts for the families.
In addition to the eight families they bought gifts for, there were two other families given $500 gift cards. The latter two families were nominated from the Amherstburg community.
The eight families who received gifts saw their presents purchased at Walmart. A total of $500 per family was spent and while the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission provided a list of wishes and necessities for each family, students were also able to buy certain items they thought the families would like.
“Some teens said ‘they are going to like this’,” Shearon said of what House students thought of what they were getting for the sponsored families.
In all, about 50 people travelled to Walmart for the shopping expedition with 20 of them students, Shearon stated. The others were peer mentors and parents.
“It’s bringing joy to families to have something by the tree for Christmas,” said mission president Tim McAllister. “I’m still on Cloud Nine.”
There were worries early on in the season but the community stepped forward and did their part for people in need.
“People rallied to help the people in need for Christmas,” said McAllister.
McAllister said they didn’t turn anyone away and ended up with over 30 families sponsored for the holiday season, eight of which are sponsored by the House Youth Centre.
“I’m excited about what has taken place and how the community rallied,” he said.
The mission is also hosting its free turkey dinner on Christmas Day. People in need of food or companionship can attend the mission Dec. 25 at 12 noon for the meal.
House sponsors families for Christmas
By Ron Giofu
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