From District 8 Kin

Contents 1 Contact Information 2 Kapuskasing Santa Fund 2.1 Santa Off to a Good Start 2.2 Santa Fund 2006

[edit] Contact Information

Kapuskasing Foodbank (Kapuskasing Kinsmen Club Service)

4-B Sheppard Street,
Kapuskasing, Ontario,
P5N 2L8
Phone: (705) 335-5414

[edit] Kapuskasing Santa Fund

Copied from the the Nothern Times

[edit] Santa Off to a Good Start

Christmas Telethon 2007 brought in just over $7,000 on Sunday as members of the Kinsmen Club of Kapuskasing, accompanied by friends, hosted the annual kick-off to the Kapuskasing and District Santa Claus Fund.

Committee chair and Kinsmen President, Wayne Major, said his group is looking to raise $20,000 by Christmas with proceeds going to provide a Christmas-day meal for needy area families as well as toys for the children.

"Considering the economic uncertainty being felt locally this year, we set $7,000 as our target for the telethon," Mr. Major said. "We surpassed that just before going off air."

The telethon is hosted each year on Persona's community cable station, managed locally by KDHS audio-visual teacher Robert Stackhouse. Students handle the entire production of the three-hour-long program.

Pledges made during the telethon may be honoured at any Kapuskasing bank for the Caisse Pop. In fact, anyone can make a donation to the Santa Fund at any bank in town. Receipts for income tax purposes will be issued on the spot. Mr. Major said the donations made by people as they complete their normal banking is an important source of funds for the Santa Fund.

There are also a number of other projects going on this month on behalf of the Santa Fund. Currently, coins deposited in parking meters during the first two weeks of December will be donated to the fund by the municipality.

Moose FM will be auctioning off new merchandise and accepting donations next weekend. TD Canada Trust is collecting toys. Nova Scotia has a draw. The annual Reindeer Run takes place Saturday with proceeds going to the Santa Fund.

"There are several other projects, including the annual teddy bear toss at the arena," Mr. Major said. "I hope I haven't forgotten any, but I apologize if I have."

Food vouchers and toys will be distributed to needy families on Saturday, Dec. 15.

All funds collected, but not required for this year's Santa Fund campaign are turned over to the Food Bank.

[edit] Santa Fund 2006

The Kapuskasing and District Santa Claus Fund drive is in high gear collecting food, toys and cash donations for distribution to area needy families and individuals this Christmas.

This year, the fund is looking to raise $20,000 in donations in addition to toys. The Santa Fund is managed by the Kinsmen Club of Kapuskasing.

Toys being collected
The toy drive is going well, according to chair Wayne Major, who doubles as club president. "On Saturday, we received more than 150 quality toys from the Polar Kaps motorcycle club in Kapuskasing," he said.

In addition, toys are being accepted at McDonald?s Restaurant (with the assistance of Moose FM) at the Model City Mall thanks to the staff at TD Canada Trust and a collection will soon start at Canada Post.

This year, toys will be given out to anyone from a needy family as long as they are still attending school, high school or less, and are 18 years-of-age or under.

"Whatever the toy drive does not generate in suitable gifts we will purchase," Mr. Major added.

FOOD VOUCHERS
As in the past, needy families will receive a food voucher which may be exchanged for food of their choice at their grocery store.

"For anyone using the Kapuskasing Food Bank, this voucher is over and above what would normally be provided," according to Ray Gagnon, food bank director.

The vouchers, the exact value of which had yet to be determined at this writing, will be sufficient to supply the recipient with a Christmas Day meal.

FOOD DRIVE
The food bank has also benefitted from the generosity of local residents during the past few weeks thanks to food collections through the volunteer firefighters in Kapuskasing, Tim Horton?s, the Festival of Lights through the Town of Kapuskasing and Ontario Northland?s Santa Express through Council 2777 of the Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Gagnon said nearly 9,000 pounds of food has been added to the food bank shelves thanks to these efforts and will help the food bank meet its obligations during the winter months.

CHRISTMAS TELETHON
The annual Christmas Telethon is set to air this Sunday from studios at Kapuskasing District High School. The aim is to collect $20,000 is cash donations, all of them tax deductible thanks to the Santa Fund?s registered charitable status.

As in the past, the program will air on The Box, the community cable channel 6 from 4:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.

People are invited to phone in their pledge during the program. Some of the numbers that will be available for people to call will be 335-0864 and 335-0982. Other numbers will be posted on air during the program.

A plan to invite people to bid their ages for a chance on a prize has been shelved for this year for lack of time. However, people will be able to bid on a number of unique gifts during the program. Hosts again this year are Denbis Bérubé and Gilles Desjardins.

Also this year, students of Robert Stackhouse are responsible for the technical end of the production.

TO MAKE A DONATION
Anyone looking to honour their pledge may do so on air by dropping by the KDHS during Sunday?s program. Financial contributions are also being accepted at all banks, the credit union and Caisse Populaire. Receipts for income tax purposes will be issued on the spot.

Furthermore, Wal Mart has set up a coin box in the department store and will match the contributions collected between now and Christmas.

As in the past, Treasurer Nalin Mehta said costs are being kept to a minimum, barely reaching 1% of the total raised.

WHO NEEDS HELP?
Anyone looking to receive assistance through the district Santa Claus Fund is asked to visit the food bank at 4B Sheppard St., in Kapuskasing on Dec. 8 between the hours of 1 and 3:30 p.m.

Anyone knowing persons who should receive help but may be too shy to ask is also invited to visit the food bank at that time to leave the required information.Or they may contact Wayne Major at 335-0864 no later than Dec. 10.

THE DISTRIBUTION
Toys and food vouchers will be handed out from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 14, 15, and 16 and from 1-4 p.m.Dec. 17. This will conducted from the lower level of the food bank at 4B Sheppard St. All those scheduled to receive assistance are asked to present themselves at that location during those hours.