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; Northlake Wood students get into the spirit ; of giving by donating items to Mary‘s Place Large selection Instructional _ Instructional N tishing supplies ‘courses Your fishin‘ headgaarters . AccessOries 10 Wyman Rd., Unit 4, Waterioo __746â€"2650 _ Students at Northlake Woods public school sent $1,700 worth of necessities for the guests of the Mary‘s Place shelter in Kitchener last week. items included nightgowns, diapers, toiletries, and slippers. anorta sarey oT hristmas came early for guests at Mary‘s Place in Kitchener last week when a group of Waterloo stuâ€" dents delivered $1,700 worth of necessities and gifts to the shelter. Through the means of a Taonie drive, as well as other activities, staff and students at Northlake _ Woods _ public school raised enough funds to purchase needed items such as slippers, nightgowns, toiâ€" letries and diapers for the women and children who will make the residence their home over the holidays. "The _ students _ really learned a lot about the spirit of giving," said teacher and coâ€"organizer of the drive Tina Giannopoulos. “[\lNB' Looking for a new or preâ€"owned BMW? By Anprea Baey While the school has made Chronicle Staff a habit of fundraising for difâ€" ferent community organizaâ€" hristmas came early for _ tions in the past, this drive guests at Mary‘s Place in _ seemed spark an extra ounce Kitchener last week _ of generosity in the students a proup of Waterloo stuâ€" _ themselves. 527 King St. N. WATERLOO (519) 885â€" Come visit our new bome Flyâ€"tying & "Some children even went into their own bank accounts to give more money," said Lorel Paquet, fellow teacher and coâ€"organizer of the drive. "One boy brought in $20 of his own money; and a kinderâ€" garten student brought in 10 loonies with a note saying (student) did all of his chores that week and wanted to give the money he made to the drive. "Even though you can only tell the younger children so much, you really saw a huge difference when they underâ€" stood that sometimes people need a safe place to go." LIFESTYLE And the students agreed they may have â€" gained more from the drive than those who will benefit from the gifts. "There are quite a few peoâ€" ple who need these things at the shelter, and it‘s good we can help them." "I‘ve realized that I‘m pretâ€" ty lucky because of all the stuff I have," said Grade 7 student Amanda Stevens. Grade 8 student Alison Polan pointed out that if peoâ€" ple have the means to help others in need, they should. "A lot of people need our help, and I think it‘s very fortuâ€" nate we can help them," she said. "We have the education and the money to do this for others so we should." Taking the students lead, a number of businesses also showed the spirit of the seaâ€" son by donating items to the drive. Len‘s Mill Store donated $100 of yarn for the communiâ€" ty members who volunteered time to knit the slippers, Zehrs Markets donated a number of deli containers used to collect donations, Biâ€"Way sold the school a number of nightâ€" gowns for a generous price, and local dentist Dr. Michael Zaharif donated 100 toothâ€" brushes. But Paquet said she was most impressed with the work of the students and their takeâ€" charge attitude. "One class organized its own bake sale and raffle draw with no help from us at all," she said. "I‘m really taken aback by the level of commitment they‘ve shown. â€" 80 "With no nagging, they did all of this on their own." House of Friendship‘s Christmas Hamper project is its final phase, and it is expected that about 2,400 Christmas food hampers will be delivered by the end of the week. Although volunteer response has been strong, drivers are still needed in the next few days to complete deliveries. Those with a vehiâ€" cle who may be able to assist should contact the Christmas Hamper warehouse | at 568â€"8139. It is located at 137 Glasgow St. in Kitchener in the former Kaufman Footwear building. Financial donations are also still welâ€" come. To assist with hamper deliveries or for more information, contact Tony Bender, House of Friendship‘s community services program director, at 568â€"8139. 'Ihe snow and cold weather that has hit the area isn‘t bad news for those who want to get outdoors for some winter fun at different sites around the Grand River Conservation Skiing will again be offered at Shade‘s Mills, Pinehurst Lake and Laurel Creek Conservation Area in Waterloo, with facilities that include groomed and trackâ€"set trails, as well as ski boot and pole rentals. Ice fishing season is also startâ€" ing early at the Shade‘s Mills and Belwood Lake Conservation Areas. Ice hut rentals are a new service being offered, but advanced reservaâ€" tions are recommended. GRCA season passes for 2000 will still be honoured until the end of the year. If you‘re looking for a good Christmas gift that will be valued all year long, season passes for 2001 will also be on sale. For snow conditions, rates, hours and facility information, contact the Laurel Creek Conservation Area in Waterloo at 884â€"6620. The Mayor‘s Skate kicks off another season of free holiday skating Waterloo‘s Clarica Arena, Moses Springer Arena and the Albert McCormick Arena, all courtesy of Tim Hortons. For schedule information, call 886â€"1177 or visit any local Tim Hortons. Waterloo Mayor Lynne Woolstencroft and members of city council invite the community to join them at the City‘s annual Mayor‘s Skating Party Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Waterloo Recreation Complex. The free skating schedule runs from Dec. 23 to Jan. 7. Volunteer drivers still needed for Christmas hamper program Mayor Woolstencroft to host community skate Winter comes early and the skiing is great WATERLOO NORTH Northfleld at the Parkway 11°â€"r4 0 0% click here FINANCING Ask for details 746â€"1666