The true meaning of giving
From the left, Anne McLean, Debra Kelly, Kevin Buter, Natasha Hodge, Stuart Pringle, Dryden Buter, Hailey Hodge and Carl Robinson took a moment on Wednesday during the preliminary work for the North Dundas Christmas Fund distribution event at the Chesterville Legion on Dec. 20 for the camera to acknowledge the generosity of the people and community in North Dundas.   Thompson Goddard photo

Carolyn Thompson Goddard
Record Correspondent
CHESTERVILLE – The week before Christmas is always a busy one, but volunteers and members of the Chesterville and District Lions Club took a few hours on Wed., Dec. 20 to prepare to spread a bit of holiday cheer to clients of the North Dundas Christmas Fund.

Lion Natasha Hodge from the CDLC was at the Chesterville Legion along with her crew of volunteers to sort the food, snowsuits, children’s clothing and toys in preparation for the next day when families would arrive to pick up their Christmas hamper.

Hodge explained the process began over a month ago when either the House of Lazarus or Community Food Share would receive a call from a client which was forwarded to either the Lions Club in South Mountain, Winchester or Chesterville depending on the location. Hodge continued the Finch and District Lions Club facilitates those who register from Stormont County through the CDLC.  

Hodge wished to thank everyone and all community organizations which have generously donated either their time, clothing, funds or toys to the NDCF. She made special note of BMR in Winchester which facilitates the ordering and storing of all the snowsuits for North Dundas, members of the Grade 7 and 8 Web Team and the Grade 9-12 WE Team from North Dundas District High School for their assistance with the angel trees at the school and Chesterville Public School which provided approximately 200 gifts which she calls “phenomenal”. 

Hodge then thanked the local churches, banks and other organizations who had angel trees, Mike Deans in Chesterville which assisted in the endeavour by providing the food at cost for the Christmas hampers and the Chesterville Legion who donated the hall for the sorting and distribution of items. Lion Car Robinson mentioned the funding provided to the North Dundas Christmas Fund from Finch and District Lions Club, expressing a sincere thank you to the club for their assistance. 

Early on Thursday morning volunteers arrived at the Chesterville Legion and prepare for the distribution of Christmas hampers. Hodge described how clients have a specific time for pick up and a well-organized team will be on hand to assist as needed. She continued there are 161 people in 56 families who will be participating in the event, with every child 18 and under provided with at least one gift. Hodge explained how once the distribution is completed in one community any remaining items are forwarded to the next event, commenting how items from the Winchester event which had already been held have arrived for the Chesterville event and the remainder of items once the distribution in this community is completed will be provided to South Mountain.  

The Christmas spirit is certainly alive and well in North Dundas with wishes for a happy holiday season for all certainly evident in the volunteers and contributors to the North Dundas Christmas Fund.