CONTACT South Simcoe community services is hoping that shoppers at the Tanger Outlet Mall near Cookstown will “wrap up” their shopping at the charity gift-wrapping booth, located near Santa’s castle.
Volunteers and staff with CONTACT are providing full gift-wrapping services to raise funds for the agency and its community programs – from tax preparation assistance for low income earners to emergency housing support for South Simcoe residents at risk of homelessness.
“This is the fourth year that we’ve done it,” said Sharon Palmer, Executive Assistant at CONTACT. “It’s a really fun activity.”
Not only staff at CONTACT, but community volunteers have contributed their time and wrapping skills over the years. Between 30 and 40 volunteers helped out last year, including high school students from Banting Memorial in Alliston and Bradford District High School working on their community hours.
“We had a lot of moms and sons, and moms and daughters,” who found it a rewarding opportunity to work together, Palmer said. A similar volunteer turn-out is expected this year.
CONTACT serves the South Simcoe municipalities of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Innisfil, New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio and Essa Township. In addition to housing support and the tax return assistance program, the agency also provides employment services, health and wellness programs for low-income seniors, a network that shares community information and contacts, and it operates a used clothing room in Alliston for its clients.
The gift-wrapping service for charity was launched on Nov. 29, just in time for Black Friday sales at the Tanger Outlet Mall. Recommended donations are $5 for a single gift, $15 for 4 gifts, and $20 for six gifts – which includes gift boxes, wrapping paper, ribbons and tags.
On Friday, four local mayors - Rob Keffer of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Lynn Dollin of Innisfil, Rick Milne of New Tecumseth and Floyd Pinto of Adjala - donned CONTACT t-shirts and grabbed scissors and paper to promote the annual fundraiser.
“We have the support of all the mayors of South Simcoe,” said Emily McIntosh, executive director of the agency. “We really pride ourselves on our relationships with our municipalities.”
For more information on CONTACT community services, click here.- and drop by the Cookstown Tanger Outlet Mall when it’s time to “wrap up” your gift shopping.
