Last Call to Register for the Christmas Hamper Program

Monday, 14 November 2022 16:14

By Brad Kraemer

The deadline to register is this Friday.

WOODSTOCK - It's the last week to register for the Salvation Army's Christmas Hamper program.

With the holiday season right around the corner, the Woodstock Salvation Army is working hard to ensure everyone who celebrates Christmas gets a nice dinner and every child has gifts under the tree.

For families who need help, Community Ministries Coordinator Noel Sterne asks you contact them as soon as possible at at (519)539-6166. The deadline to register is this Friday.

"We provide the core of what would be Christmas dinner, a good solid meat option and the sides. We also try to provide an extra few days of food, not just the Christmas dinner but food to get through a couple of days on either side as well. For families with children, we also put together toy hampers. The toys are for ages 14 and under. Come Christmas morning, wherever the children wake up, that's where [the toys] go to."

Sterne confirmed that there's been an uptick in the amount of families registering, especially large families.

The Salvation Army has also already begun their Care and Share campaign with donation boxes and bins all over Woodstock. You can find them at almost any major retailer to donate non-perishable food and gifts for children under 14. The list of the businesses can be found on the organization's Instagram page.

Another program set to launch is the Christmas Kettle campaign. Volunteers are needed, and you can contact the Salvation Army at the same number listed above if you are interested. The campaign starts on Thursday.

Sterne ended by praising Woodstock's generosity.

"I want to add a gigantic thank you to the community of Woodstock. I have been a longtime member of the Salvation Army in a number of communities. Woodstock is one of the most generous communities I've been in. Whenever there's a need, they pour out their resources, whether it's non-perishables or their finances."