Published on November 7, 2012
Every Christmas in Cornwall there are at least 1,000 families who would have little more than chicken wieners and dried out French fries on the table to celebrate Christmas if not for the donations provided by the Children's Christmas Fund.
And, like it or not, with the holidays just weeks away, organizers of one of the largest Christmas charities in the community are hoping for some significant donations to help bring some cheer to what could otherwise be a gloomy occasion.
The Christmas fund is hoping to raise $40,000 this year to feed 1,100 city families a proper meal on Dec. 25.
Peter Morgan, chair of the fund, said the need in the city has continued to remain steady.
"In the last three years we've probably helped around 3,400 families," he said. "We try to have an exra little bit on the table for the families so the kids can enjoy Christmas."
Since its inception in 1948, the Children’s Christmas Fund has raised more than $1 million to help 27,500 needy families and their children
In 2012 $44,000 was raised and more than $60,000 worth of food was distributed.
In recent years, the Children’s Christmas Fund has joined hands with the Agape Centre to formulate a common list for distribution of food vouchers and food baskets.
Since 1993, the Children’s Christmas Fund and the Agape Centre have been involved in distributing food and toys to needy families.
“Distribution of food remains a priority for service club members,” said Morgan.
The food items will be distributed Dec. 19 to area families from the Cornwall Armouries.
"Anyone who wants to help can come down to the armouries," said Morgan. "We'll be distributing the food from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m."
Donations to the Christmas fund can be made at Scotiabank in Cornwall. And more information about the fund can be found on its new website, www.childrenschristmasfund.ca.