Mission accomplished.
The District 69 Society of Organized Services surpassed its goal to raise $110,000 with their Caring for Community at Christmas fundraiser.
The organization reached $116,077 as of Dec. 31.
The money paid for the grocery store gift cards that were distributed to individuals and families to choose food at their local grocery store that is meaningful to them over the holidays, said Lissa Alexander, SOS marketing co-ordinator.
“This year we assisted more people than ever before; 1,231 individuals and families received grocery store gift cards, and 1,231 children and youth found special gifts under their trees thanks to the program,” Alexander said in an email.
“There were a total of 883 households assisted and we had 159 new registrants this year.”
This year, 140 volunteers came together to help deliver the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program.
The volunteers worked in 12 different areas, from registering clients for the program, picking up toys from local businesses, to walking parents through the Toy Shop to help them select that special gift their child had been asking for.
RELATED: SOS seeing increasing need for support at Christmas
“In 2018 we saw the highest need in our Christmas program that we’ve seen so far, but luckily our community recognized the need, and donation-wise, this is the best year we’ve had,” Newton said. “Our residents really came through for our residents in-need, and we can all be very proud of that. Together, we made a big difference in our community this Christmas.”
— NEWS staff