LISSA ALEXANDER
Special to The NEWS
A number of local organizations are making Christmas a little sweeter for SOS clients.
While waiting for the opportunity to enter the SOS Toy Shop and receive a grocery store gift card, low-income residents will enjoy home-baked treats prepared by caring community members.
Fragrant scents of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and chocolate will fill the SOS this week and next, helping create a warm and inviting atmosphere for our residents in-need.
"Having home-baking adds an element of comfort and kindness to the atmosphere," said SOS Christmas Coordinator Renee Caulder.
"It makes our clients feel at ease, even though many of them are going through a tough situation."
SOS is hoping to raise enough money to meet the needs of all our low-income residents this Christmas.
To donate visit the website www.sosd69.com, call 250-248-2093 or drop by the SOS in Parksville at 245 West Hirst Ave. with your donation, or a new, unwrapped gift for the SOS Toy Shop.
Forward House is one of the groups preparing and donating baked goods to the SOS Caring for Kids at Christmas program this year. Shane Ovington is the Kitchen Coordinator and said Forward House clients have been baking and cooking for about five months in classes held at Forward House, funded by The United Way.
So far they have made Nanaimo bars, peanut butter squares, short breads, squares and loafs in the baking class. He said the clients love baking and it's rewarding for them.
Forward House clients served their baking creations at the Project Connect Health Fair recently and Ovington said they received great feedback.
"They got lots of compliments and they took the credit really well, it was so uplifting for our clients," he explained.
"Preparing the food and sharing it with others gives them a purpose knowing that they are giving something back to the community."
This year baked goods will be donated to the SOS Caring for Kids at Christmas program by the food programs at Ballenas Secondary School, Kwalikum Secondary School, Qualicum Elementary School, PASS Woodwinds Alternate School, the University Women's Club, the Parksville Lioness Clubs, Beta Omega Masters, Beta Sigma Phi and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.