“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Sir Winston Churchill

Chestermere, AB – Chestermere Community Support Services will be launching its Gifts of Kindness annual fundraising campaign this month. The campaign began in 2007 but the community may remember it by its previous name: Christmas with Dignity.

“The campaign is now called Gifts of Kindness and we are launching it in September rather than November as a way to modernize the program and illustrate that donations will be accepted and can be accessed at any time throughout the year,” says Danielle Fermin, Manager of Community Support Services for the City of Chestermere. “We’d like it to be clear that some individuals and families in the community need access to assistance year-round and not just during the holiday season.”

Donations collected from the Gifts of Kindness program will continue to be used the same way as they were with Christmas with Dignity. These funds will be used to help individuals and families in Chestermere and the S.E. Rocky View area with basic needs such as:

• Damage deposits, utilities or rental arrears

• Medication expenses

• Helping women in crisis

• Groceries and;

• Subsidizing membership fees to local associations.

The program can be accessed by the community through the Chestermere Family and Community Resource Centre intake process by calling (403) 207-7079 or by filling out the intake form.

“We are asking the community to help us to keep this program and its funds available throughout the year by participating in fundraising initiatives like our Good Food Box, Jacket Racket, Wishing Tree and Christmas Hamper programs,” says Fermin. “We will also be creating some fun, new opportunities to donate, so that each of us can help make a significant change in our community with any gift we can share.”

Cash, cheque, or credit card donations are also accepted at City Hall (105 Marina Road, Chestermere and donations of $20 or more will be eligible for a tax receipt.

There will be an opportunity to chat with the Community Support Services team at the upcoming Energizer Night on September 11, where the Gifts of Kindness campaign will be officially launched.

For more information or to donate, visit chestermere.ca/giftsofkindness.