With Thanksgiving behind us, cooler days upon us and coloured leaves all around, it’s clear that we’re embarking on the holiday season. Perhaps you’ve started your Christmas shopping… most likely thoughts of family feasts and snowy days have come to mind a few times. Delicious food, great friends, and memories sprinkled with twinkly lights. For many of us, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
But there are others in our community who are not so fortunate. Women who have left home due to domestic violence struggle to make the holiday season something special for themselves, their families and loved ones. They may be looking at the next couple months with dread… wondering how they will manage to afford gifts for their children and other people they care about… debating what’s really required to make the holidays memorable.
It may be with great sadness that they approach the season, perhaps their first without their partner and away from home. They may have to accept child custody agreements that don’t allow them to see their children for a portion of the holidays. They may feel heartbroken that they are celebrating in a shelter, rather than in a warm house they’ve adorned with family decorations passed down for generations.
Although it is a truly joyous time for most of us, there are families in our community who will not feel the magic of the season.
At least, not without your help.
Last year, with the support of many generous community members, Lanark County Interval House & Community Support was able to bring festive cheer to hundreds of families that use our services. We hope we can do it again and invite your family or business to be a part of spreading holiday joy throughout the county to those who need it most.
There are many ways you can support our clients over the holidays, for example:
- Host an angel tree at your place of business
- Sponsor a family with food and gifts
- Include fundraising as part of your work holiday party
Please contact Cathie McOrmond at fundraising@lcih.com to discuss how you or your business can spread festive cheer to those in need.
With many families to support, we start planning early so please get in contact as soon as you can.
With your support, there will be many more smiling faces, stuffed bellies and heartwarming memories made in Lanark County this holiday season.
