The Children’s and Youth Religious Exploration team has partnered with Social Justice for a number of years to collect clothing items and gift cards for the Eva Rothwell Centre at their annual Holiday Service. In the first year of the church’s association with Eva Rothwell it was decided to donate winter clothing from our “Mitten Tree” directly to the centre. By the next year, the scope and nature of the collection evolved to better suit the needs of the centre as $1700 in gift cards and clothing items were collected to be distributed to those in need in the Keith Neighbourhood. Similar collections of $1500, nearly $2000, and $1542.50 followed in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. Last year, despite the church closure during COVID, a special “drive-by” collection in the parking lot raised $1893 in Gift cards and $318.50 in hats, mitts and other items. A total of $2211.50!
This Sunday, Dec. 12th, at the Children’s Holiday Service, we are once asking for donations of gift cards for the Eva Rothwell Centre. These are distributed by Sam Campanella, the Executive Director, and his staff within the Keith Neighbourhood to families in need.
The best gift cards are 
Tim Hortons, McDonalds, Harveys/Swiss Chalet, the Ultimate Dining Gift Card (multiple Canadian restaurants), Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, Food Basics, Metro, Marks Work Wearhouse and Best Buy.
Alternatives are socks, underwear, hats and mitts for youth and men and cash.
We know that not everyone is ready to return to service at the church, so we will also be outside between 12 noon and 1:00 to accept “drive by” donations.
Let’s make this the biggest year ever for the collection!