Christmas is a brightly decorated house, a sparkling tree and the smell of Christmas dinner throughout the house. However, this is not the scene for a number of Weyburn homes.
The Christmas season should be one of joy, family togetherness and festivities, but the financial pressures and stresses can hinder the happiness of the season for many families.
"The average family spends about $5,000 on Christmas," said Salvation Army Captain Melissa Mailman. The Salvation Army Christmas Assistance program is set up to assist families who have fallen on hard times and who are struggling to make ends meet, bring Christmas to their homes without putting themselves in debt doing it on their own.
These stresses can have families dreading the aftermath of the holiday season.
"Having families dreading Christmas breaks my heart," said Mailman.
Imagine not being able to afford to feed your family on a daily basis, let alone trying to buy the extras needed for the holiday season. Through the Salvation Army's Adopt a Family program, families in need can have a much better Christmas. The goal of the Salvation Army is to help as many Weyburn and area families as possible to have a special Christmas this year.
When sponsors adopt a family, they accept the responsibility to purchase new gifts for children as well as food for a Christmas dinner for the whole family.
Various organizations, businesses, schools, churches and individual families decide to combine resources to adopt a less fortunate Weyburn and area family.
"We will have sponsors matched with a family on or before December 1," said Mailman.
Both the Adopt a Family program and the Christmas Assistance program are strictly anonymous projects.
Anyone wishing to take part in the Adopt a Family program may email the Salvation Army at [email protected] or fax at 306-842-2070 for an information package.
Families wishing to apply for Christmas Assistance may do so between the hours of 9:30 am and 3 p.m. at the Salvation Army November 4-7, November 12-14 and November 18-21. Residents may also call for a private appointment at 306-842-2280. Residents wishing to donate food items for Christmas hampers may also call for a list of items for the hamper.
