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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, D ecem ber 9, 2 0 1 6 | 2 0 Every week we showcase much discussed topics around town, as witnessed through the eyes of our devoted readers. That' s you! SEND US YOUR PHOTOS: If you happen across an interesting topic relevant to your community, and you have a good picture to prove it, email it to ahlackhurn@oakvilleheaver. com, along with your name and a brief paragraph to let us know why you would like to share it with our readers. Christmas Wonders come alongside people a t KSM by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff W ith the Christmas season in full gear, and gift-giving and spending time with loved ones top-of-mind, it' s a good time to reflect on our good fortune and reach out to those Oakville families who aren' t as fortunate. Kerr Street Mission' s (KSM) annual Christmas Wonders and Beyond program tries to ensure every local family in the community is able to celebrate the holidays and take part in their own festivities. Families registered with KSM receive gift cards through the program to allow parents to shop for presents for their own children -- so that the children get what they want. "For most of us, Christmas is filled with joy, extravagant gifts and lots and lots of food. And yet for others in our community, it is time of despair and hopelessness," said Agnes Unger Stassen, Christmas Wonders program co ordinator. "As others are celebrating and enjoying the season, they are left with the reality that they are unable to provide for their families and they have little to celebrate. At Kerr Street Mission, we come alongside people to make this a season of joy, hope and love." In addition to gift cards, families receive a turkey and a fresh vegetable and fruit box so they can have a full Christmas meal. Children also receive a new pair of pyjamas. This year' s fundraising goal is the same as last who have registered with KSM are from Syria, Palestine and Iraq. "This is their first Christmas in Canada," she said. "We are excited to be able to bless them as they are getting used to this new and different country, and as they deal with the separation from family, friends and all that they have known." There are more than 26,000 people living below the poverty line in Oakville, according to KSM, which says every dollar raised by the Christmas Wonders program translates into $1.09. KSM breaks down donations and how they can direcdy help client families: · $50 purchases two food cards for a family; · $100 purchases a food card and Christmas gift; · $500 provides the "Christmas in a Box" for a larger family; · $1,500 provides "Christmas and Beyond" support for a struggling family for one year. To participate in KSM' s Christmas Wonders and Beyond program, or for more details, visit www.kerrstreet.net/christmas-wonders, call 905-845-7485, ext. 208 with credit card information, or mail a cheque to Kerr Street Mission, 485 Kerr St., Oakville, ON, L6K 3C6. For nearly 20 years, KSM has been serving low-income and at-risk families and youths. Originally a small food share co-operative, KSM has evolved to provide needed programs and services for families through community dinners, its food bank and after-school/drop-in programs. Judy Arndt, left, Agnes Unger Stassen, centre, and Janice Ekeland spend hundreds of hours on the Kerr Street Mission (KSM) Christmas Wonders program. Arndt and Ekeland are volunteers while Unger Stassen is KSM's staff co-ordinator of the annual program. | submitted photo year' s, set at $350,000 -- to date, Unger Stassen says more than $132,000 has been raised, so there' s a long way to go before Christmas Eve. The KSM program co-ordinator noted there has been a dramatic increase in the number of those needing help with 100 families using the mission' s food bank and participating in its Community Meal and Kids N Me programs. W hen the holiday program began 14 years ago, between 20-30 families were helped, now nearly 400 families are looked after. "As a result, we expect to provide for more than 1,100 individuals this Christmas," said Unger Stassen, who noted many new families INSURE YOUR FUTURE TODAY Preferred rates for a c c id e n t free drivers. Save u p to 40% on your policy.Ask us how. New drivers & hard to insure drivers also w elcom e. Local O akville residents with over 20 years e x p e r ie n c e in Christina D i Rosa Corey D i Rosa th e in su ran ce industry YOUR INSURANCE EXPERTS r j j y* SO O N TO RN BAH N TH A I Soontorn Bahn Thai is the prem ium thai restaurant in dow ntow n Oakville specializing in Royal Thai cuisine w ith fresh ingredient from Thailand. 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