Well done Sooke – you responded to the call and made Christmas a wonderful time for the 416 families who were registered with the Sooke Christmas Bureau!
Hampers were distributed in Sooke District which includes East Sooke, Otter Point, Shirley and Port Renfrew. CFAX Santa’s Anonymous once again filled toy orders as well as assisting with food hampers.
This year donations of non-perishable foods (approximately $80,000) exceeded 2013. Sincere thanks to everyone especially the firefighters (East Sooke to Port Renfrew), schools, grocery stores, drug stores, many sponsored events and CFAX Santa’s Anonymous. The quality of these items donated went a long way to supplement the bulk items purchased by the Christmas Bureau.
Special thanks to the many businesses and organizations for their successful fundraising efforts. Cash donations ‘burst the thermometers’ totally $27,700! Special thanks to everyone who displayed a donation box. There were at least 12 initiatives from various groups and in addition, a very welcome grant from the District of Sooke in the amount of $7,000 all of which made possible the purchase of extra non-perishable items, also turkeys, hams and produce.
The call went out for volunteers and you responded immediately – receivers during the week, food sorters on Friday, hamper packers on Saturday and then even more volunteers on Sunday for distribution, unprecedented numbers which also included Sooke Lions, Sooke District Lioness and Harbourside Lions. Thank you one and all, many hands made light work!
This year we had the public relations assistance of the Sooke News Mirror, SEAPARC, EMCS, CFAX, CTV, CHEK TV, Shaw Cable, the Coffee News, and Sooke Voice News who advertised all of the events and requests for volunteers. Their participation was invaluable!
It must be noted that any leftover cash and food will be donated to the Sooke Food Bank.
Last but not least to Sharon Johnson, Chair and Mike Thomas, Co-chair and their dedicated Committee heartfelt thanks of the community for a job well done!
Wishing everyone a very happy new year!!
Anne Scott
Sooke Christmas Bureau
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