For immediate release

CAS says Thank You - The Giving Spirit


When principal Sandra Peters put out the call to students at Glen Echo Public School to consider donating their pocket change to help a needy family at Christmas, the response was overwhelming.

Daniella, a Grade one student, who wanted to "make other kids' Christmas happy" was one of the first students to come forward. Knowing only a need and wishing to fill it, Daniella arrived in the school office carrying a piggy bank that weighed almost as much as the child.

It was difficult for this visitor to hold back tears. "Buy them nice things," whispered Daniella, who donated her entire savings of $54.85 -- in pennies--to the fund. Others followed and soon the school community had collected enough to purchase gifts and a holiday meal for two families in our community.

The Children's Aid Society of Hamilton and the families it serves offers a collective thanks to all who contributed to the Society's annual holiday appeal.

This year's unbridled generosity made Christmas come true for one hundred and twenty-eight families. That's a record, as the CAS Holiday Family Sponsorship program reached out to more children and families in our City than ever before.

"Christmas is a time to give back," said one sponsor, a Hamilton businessman, who wished to remain anonymous. A father of six children he says he has been "on both sides" and understands that the pendulum can easily swing from prosperity to poverty at any time.

"The reality is that within six months, anyone could be in the same situation as the families we are supporting," he said.

The donations to the CAS Toy Room also surpassed expectations. Throughout the month of December, Child Protection Workers distributed toys and clothing to families from a mountain of 1,232 gifts, which were donated by individuals, families, student volunteers and supporters such as Thornebrae School, SEARS Limeridge, Sims Advertising, Wellington Nursing Home, Ford Canada, IRS Trucking and Trailer Repair, the Rotary Club of Hamilton East and Elite Woodworking.

Hundreds of children in care and their foster families also participated in special events organized by CAS volunteers and local organizations.

Several hours after she and her family arrived home from the January 5th Super-cirque performance in a chauffeur-driven limousine, four-year old Geri-Lynn was still talking about her trip in the "BIG CAR" driven by the "BIG LARRY" to the "BIG CIRCUS". "BIG HEART" is how her mother Irene described Jeremy Tumber at Asti's Limousine, who donated forty tickets and limousine service as a draw prize for the annual Foster Families Christmas Party.

Heartfelt thanks also to the officers, staff and volunteers of the Hamilton Police Service who made it possible for fifty-five children and families from Hamilton CAS to join more than 500 other local children for "It's A Kid's Christmas" event, an annual event organized by the Hamilton Police Service.

Certainly, the many good deeds would not have been be possible without the support of the Hamilton Spectator who carried the message on our behalf, as did Wave 94.7 and CHML Radio whose special grant from their own Tree of Hope will be used to support recreational programs for children in care beyond the holiday season.

To Tracy Thorne, Coordinator of CAS Volunteer Services, and the CAS volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to make this holiday season brighter for so many, we extend our thanks and appreciation. We look at all you have done and realize that some of the best gifts aren't those that are wrapped and put under the tree.

2002 Family Holiday Sponsorship Program Supporters
2002 Toy/Gift Room Supporters

Sears Limeridge employees and student volunteers donated 252 gifts from their Tree of Hope to the CAS holiday program. Throughout December, staff sold more than 10,000 Flurry Bears. Fifty cents from every bear sold will be donated to the CAS Children's Fund. From left to right: Mark Kelly, Store, Manager; Diane Bridges, Store Educator; Terry Gagnon, Associate Store Manager, and Tracy Thorne, Co-ordinator of CAS Volunteer Services.

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For more information, please contact:
Dianne Pearson
Manager of Communications & Development
905-522-1121 ext. 2110