Holiday Season Collections 2013 Change Starts Here Collection Drive Guidelines:

Holiday Season Collections
2013
Change Starts Here
United Way’s Campaign Engagement program strengthens our community through employee engagement
Collection Drive Guidelines:
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Select one of our partner agencies from the lists provided below and connect with the agency contact
*Please note agencies have a cut off date during the Holiday Season for collecting donations- when
contacting the agencies please discuss the cut off date(s), along with date and time in which your team
will be available to deliver your donations
Get the word out at your organization with emails and flyers to announce your drive
Strategically locate multiple collection boxes around the office in high traffic areas (break room, building
entrances, etc.)
Encourage employees to add a personal touch by writing positive notes to be delivered along side the items (this
could be done as a special gathering or as a campaign event)
Questions or concerns? Please contact your United Way of Calgary and Area Campaign Associate or our
Campaign Engagement Coordinator at dayofcaring@calgaryunitedway.org or 403-231-2615
*Please note that United Way does not have the capacity to pick-up, sort and/or deliver collections.
Please ensure your team will be available to deliver the collection to the agency of your choice
Holiday Adoption Programs:
Boys & Girls Club of Calgary
The Boys and Girls Club is looking for help in sponsoring a family who is facing difficulties this upcoming holiday season.
The family consists of the mother, father and five boys ranging from ages 9 to 1 and a half who have been dedicated to
attending programs at the Boys and Girls Club for the past 2 years. Recently their family memberships expired and the
family is concerned the boys will no longer be able to attend their programs. The father was also recently laid off and with
the upcoming holidays the parents are struggling to find ways to provide their boys with a good Christmas holiday.
The family is described as not only kind, but the parents work so hard to provide for their boys and their recent struggles
are heartbreaking for all to see. The agency is hoping to be able to get this family back on their feet for the Christmas
holidays, helping them with providing a nice Christmas dinner as well as providing gifts from Santa for the boys. The
family is appreciative of any kind of support and would be touched to see that the community cares so much for them.
Agency Contact: Madison Swanberg; mswanberg@bgcc.ab.ca; 403-543-9672 or Chyenne Bodnar;
CBodnar@bgcc.ab.ca; 403-543-9672
The Brenda Strafford Centre
The Brenda Strafford Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is a second-stage shelter for women and their
children who have fled domestic violence. This year you can make the holidays brighter for a family in the Brenda
Strafford Centre by supporting their “Adopt a Family” for the holidays program. Please contact the organization for more
information.
Agency Contact: Peggy Schiffner; p.schiffner@brendastraffordsociety.org; 403-270-7240
Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
Every year the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter serves over 12 000 women, children, youth and men through a
number f innovative safety, healing and prevention programs. They work to support individuals and families in their efforts
to live free from family violence and abuse.
This holiday season they are looking for people to help provide a meaningful and memorable holiday to local families by
donating to their Adopt a Family Program. Donations will help families in need buy groceries and small gifts for
themselves and their children during the holidays.
Agency Contact: Dallas Fikowski; dallasf@cwes.ca; 403-539-5126
Calgary Drop In Centre
The Calgary Drop In Centre’s mission is to prevent homelessness where possible, offer care and shelter when needed
and to provide opportunities for people to rehabilitate and rebuild their lives. This year they are running their annual
Christmas Wishlist program where you will be able to select the client(s) you wish to grant a wish this holiday season!
They are also looking for help for their “Fill a Sock” program, which they provide for each client on Christmas morning, as
well as their “Frosty Bites” program to help prevent their clients from getting frostbite this chilly holiday season. For more
information on all these programs you can visit their website or contacting them directly.
Agency Contact: Mark Powers; markp@thedi.ca; 403-699-8269
Catholic Family Service
Louise Dean Centre is a 43-year partnership program between Catholic Family Service (CFS), Calgary Board of
Education (CBE) and Alberta Health Services (AHS). As a principal partner of the Centre, CFS has provided a well
developed array of services and support to the pregnant and parenting youth age 13 to 24 and their children, to become
strong, self-sufficient young parents and healthy children on part with their peers academically and developmentally.
Christmas time could trigger strong emotions and great stress for many young mothers at the Centre. To help reduce the
financial stress and to kindle the feeling of peace and joy at Christmas, Catholic Family Service staff work with donors and
community groups in providing all high need participants at Louise Dean Centre with Christmas hampers. Currently they
are still looking for Christmas hamper donors.
Each hamper consists of groceries for a two-week break at Christmas and groceries for the Christmas dinner. Other gift
items are bonus. A donor can choose
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to shop and deliver the hamper directly to the recipient, or
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to shop and drop the groceries at Louise Dean Centre and CFS staff will deliver it for the donor.
The last day for receiving and delivering hampers is December 16, 2013.
Agency Contact: Sherry Hiebertkeck; sherry.hiebertkeck@cfs-ab.org; 403.205.5217
Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta
The Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta makes a difference by enriching and supporting the lives of children and adults
with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, working towards a life without limits for persons with cerebral palsy and other
disabilities. Their programs and services advocate and promote awareness, acceptance and understanding for persons
with disabilities to live, learn and work in the community.
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This year they are holding their 13 Annual Gift Bag Program which supports the Emily Follsensby and Christine Meikle
special needs schools. Specific items are requested for each child by their teacher/aides and so they ask you to get in
touch with the contact listed below to get matched with your child and to get their wishlist for this holiday season.
Agency Contact: Mezaun Lakha-Evin; mezaun@cpalberta.com
CUPS
Through integrated healthcare, education and housing services, CUPS empowers people to overcome the challenges of
poverty and reach their full potential. They are dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome poverty thereby
helping individuals, families and communities thrive.
Sadly, Christmas is not a happy time for everyone but you can change this by adopting a family in need this Christmas.
They are looking for generous donors to take part in their “Adopt a Family” program thereby bringing hope and joy into the
hearts of children and families this holiday season. You will need to register online to select the size of family you would
like to adopt, register and you will be provided with their wishlist. They are also looking for support for their Wreath
Campaign as well where you can purchase a Christmas wreath for your home or office space!
Agency Contact: Lindsay Tyler; lindsayt@cupscalgary.com; 403-206-0294
Discovery House
Discovery House provides integrated residential and community services to abused women and children to enable them
to live safely in the community. Every Christmas, Discovery House clients who are rebuilding their lives after domestic
violence are matched with generous Calgarians to help celebrate their new lives, homes and the holiday spirit.
Their “Adopt a Family” program allows donors to either purchase gifts for specific families according to their wishlist or you
can donate to a “store” where mothers and children pick out gifts for their family members. Once you register, depending
on your budget you will be matched with the appropriate family.
Agency Contact: Sarelle Azuelos; sazuelos@discoveryhouse.ca; 403-204-6082
McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association
McMan’s mission is to support and encourage individuals and families to achieve their full potential as members of their
community by providing a comprehensive range of programs. This holiday season they have one family who is in the
process of being relocated from their housing and is struggling to find a new place to live which has had a great amount of
financial strain upon them. The family is made up of mom and three children, ages 16 to 8. They are looking for the
following items for the family:
- Darnell, Age 16
Sizes: shirts (medium), pajamas (large), undergarments (medium), pants (30)
Interests: movies, music, PS3 video games
- Talynn, Age 11
Size 12
Interests: Hello Kitty, Nightmare Before Christmas (Jack Skellington), fun toques, nail polish, nail accessories
- Kaleb, Age 8
Size 8
Interests: Lego, Pokemon, Minecraft, video games
Agency Contact: April Stallings; april.stallings@mcman.ca; 403-508-0442
NeighbourLink
Neighbourlink helps more than 300 unique clients in Calgary every year by linking them to a network of community
volunteers and donors who care. Their programs focus on preventing homelessness by providing low-income Calgarians
with access to free furniture, household items, food hamper deliveries and more.
Their “Adopt A Family Program” is a wonderful opportunity for you to reach out to your neighbours in the Calgary
community who are struggling to make ends meet this holiday season. Once you are put in touch with a family you can
get into contact with them and be able to provide each family member with a gift this holiday season. This program is
about more than just helping out, it’s giving someone else the opportunity to forget about their worries and just enjoy the
holiday season.
Agency Contact: Chantal Hisey; chisey@neighbourlinkcalgary.ca; 403-538-7398
Valley View School
Valley View School is a K-6 school situated in the community of Dover with families served from Dover and Forest Law.
The school strives to personalize learning opportunities for “every student, every day, no exceptions”. For this upcoming
holiday season, their greatest need is providing families with Christmas food hampers in order to put quality food on the
table. Examples of items are: (other suggestions are greatly appreciated)
- Turkeys, chickens
- Potatoes, veggies (carrots, peas, corn); cranberry sauce, gravy
- Desserts
The school is also open to collecting items for little Christmas goodie bags for their students on the last day of school
before Christmas holidays. For more information on both collections please use the contact listed below.
Agency Contact: Kate Habermehl; kbhabermehl@cbe.ab.ca; 403-777-8250 ext. 2323
General Holiday Collection Drives:
Alberta Seventh Step
Alberta Seventh Step is an agency committed to promoting community safety by supporting the successful community
reintegration of individuals involved in a criminal lifestyle. They are founded on the idea that people can change and take
full responsibility for their lives when provided with the opportunity and necessary tools to develop new skills and a
positive approach to life.
This holiday season they will be hosting a Christmas dinner for the men and their families. Santa will be making a visit and
they need support in collecting presents for the children that will be attending. They are also collecting items for holiday
goodie bags for the men consisting of: socks, underwear, men toiletries, t-shirts etc.
Agency Contact: Gayle MacAdam; comworker@albertaseventhstep.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can build positive
relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. Their Avenue 15 location is looking for basic need items to help
their youth overcome barriers that are preventing them from leaving homelessness. Items they are collecting include:
- New socks, underwear; mini gloves, toques, scarves
Another program that is in need of support this holiday season is Home Start which is a family and community program
that supports families with young children who may be struggling with a variety of issues related to parenting. This holiday
season they are looking for the following items for the following clients:
- 7 children under a year old- soft toys
- 8 toddlers ages 1-3- books, soft toys
- 8 preschoolers ages 4-6- puzzles, art supplies, books, games, Lego
- 6 school kids aged 6 and up- games, books, art supplies
- 22 moms- gift cards (Starbucks, Tim Horton’s, Chapters etc.), fancy candles, teas
*The above items are just suggestions and the organization is open to any other recommended items for the respective
groups as well
Agency Contact: Andy Tse; atse@bgcc.ab.ca; 403-717-2680
BowWest Community Resource Centre
BowWest is an organization that supports individual, family and community development through the provision of
integrated services in NW Calgary. They work with community residents in order to not just bring awareness but to link
individuals and families with the appropriate services that will support them in their daily lives.
This holiday season their Flood Recovery Centre at their Bowness location is gathering Christmas ornaments and
decorations for those who lost those items in the June flood; along with this program they are also asking for support in
sponsoring a meal for Ranchlands residents who are facing difficulties this Christmas. A number of community-based
groups are looking to help the families by cooking and serving them a dinner and are looking for food sponsorship as well
as donations of small gift bags for the children.
Agency Contact: Jeneba Stewart; bownessflood@gmail.com; 403-288-8300 ext. 34 (Flood Recovery Centre)
Wendy Yeo; 1rocket@telus.net (meal and gift sponsorship)
Calgary Family Services
For over 100 years, Calgary Family Services has developed and implemented programs that are holistic and serve the
city of Calgary throughout all life cycles working towards strong families and communities for generations. Coupled with
the recent flood, this holiday season they are looking for people to support their clients to make this holiday season a bit
more cheerful. They are collecting the following items:
- Department and grocery store gift cards
- Non-perishable food items (protein type is preferred- ex. Tuna, beans, peanut butter)
- Meal replacement drinks (ex. Ensure, Glucerna)
- Basic household items- laundry detergent, cleaning supplies*Highest need
Agency Contact: 403-286-1811
Children’s Cottage Society
The Children’s Cottage Society works to prevent harm and neglect to all children as well as building strong families
through providing support services, respite programs and crisis nurseries. This holiday season they are looking for
support for Brenda’s House well as their Crisis Nursery location. Brenda’s House winter wishlist includes:
- Towel sets, dish cloths, tea towels; adult and youth bus tickets- *Highest need
- Queen sized sheet sets with pillow cases, double size sheets- *Highest need
- Large sized bibs; 2 Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster seats- *Highest need
*Please note all items listed above must be NEW
- Baby items- diapers (all sizes), baby wipes, sippy cups, diaper cream bibs, formula, soothers, diaper genie
- Household items (new)- lunch bags, Lysol wipes, batteries (all), laundry soap (pods), brooms, dustpans, Bounce
- Gift cards- gas stations, Staples, movie theatres, Co-op, Superstore, Ikea, Wal-Mart, Marks Work Warehouse,
Safeway, Scholastic, Toys R Us, recreation passes, new gifts for parents/children for birthdays
- Food- coffee, juice boxes, fruit roll ups, granola bars (nut free), muffin mixes, chocolate chips, cooking oil, baking
powder, flours, assorted teas, cereal, infant cereal, baby/infant food, chickpeas, pasta noodles, apple sauce, rice
- Toys/crafts- glue sticks, markers, liquid glue, Tempura paint, paint brushes, clothes pins, beads, construction
paper, paper plates, Styrofoam balls
Below is the Bridgeland Crisis Nursery winter wishlist:
- Formula- Goodstart powdered and/or Similar Advanced Formula concentrate- *Highest need
- Children’s underwear (sizes 2-14; new), girls underwear (sizes 2-3; new); diaper wipes- *Highest need
- Baby food (fruits and veggies), baby Mum Mums; batteries- AA, AAA, C & D- *Highest need
- Boys and girls pants (sizes 2-6), t-shirts (sizes 2-6) and pajamas (sizes 2-4); children’s socks- *Highest need
- Gerber or Playtex bottles; children’s toothbrushes- *Highest need
- Clothing (boys and girls)- pants (0-12 years), shirts and sweaters (0-12 years), pajamas (0-12 years), socks
(new), underwear (new); girls dresses (4-8 years), hair barrettes, clips and child brushes (new)
- Baby items- large bibs (Velcro or tie strings), baby activity mats, diapers (all sizes) Goodnites or Pull Ups (all
sizes), formula (listed above), matching sippy cups with lids, baby bottles (4-8 oz.), Glaxal Base Cream, Zyncofax
Cream & Sudocream, baby wash, receiving blankets, soothers
*Please note all items listed above must be NEW
- Bedding and linens- towels, crib sheets and crib mattress covers, face cloths, towels and infant face cloths, jersey
knit twin bed sheets or single bed sheets, pillows suitable for children under 8, twin size mattress covers
*Please note all items listed above must be NEW
- Video games (rated E, good for children ages 4-8)- ex. Mario Party, Angry Birds, Disney Tangled, Wreck it Ralph
*Please contact agency for more information as well as to minimize duplicate purchases
Agency Contact: Marisol Narvaez; mnarvaez@childrenscottage.ab.ca; 403-2834200 ext. 221
CNIB
CNIB passionately provides community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are
blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. This holiday season they
are looking for help collecting various food items to create “Hampers for the Holidays”. Items accepted include:
- Dry items- pasta, cereal, flour sugar
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Tin/canned items- soup, tuna, salmon, meats, beans, veggies
Juice boxes, peanut butter
Agency Contact: Lance Fernandes; lance.fernandes@cnib.ca; 403-266-8831
Community Links
Community links is an organization that promotes “Strong Individuals, Families and Communities” by providing support
and services to individuals and families in Airdrie and surrounding areas, North Rocky View Region. Their “Treasure
Vault” is their basic needs donation program and this holiday season they are looking for help collecting the following
items for their clients:
- Gently-used clothing- jeans, hoodies, winter jackets, snow pants
- Boots, shoe laces, socks, underwear, bras
o *Highest need- children’s boots
- Baby items- diapers, size 5 pull ups, receiving blankets
- Kitchen items- cutlery, dishes, pots, pans, small appliances, dish clothes and towels
- Blankets, quilts, sheets, towels, face cloths, bedding
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, hygiene items
- Underwear, socks, children’s clothing (sizes 8 and up)
o *Highest need- boys clothing (jeans, tshirts and hoodies- all sizes)
Agency Contact: Sue Der Stepanian; sue@nrvcl.ab.ca; 403-945-3924
McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association
McMan’s mission is to support and encourage individuals and families to achieve their full potential as members of their
community by providing a comprehensive range of programs. Their youth homelessness programs are also looking for
help in collecting gift cards for their clients for the holidays. Gift cards they are looking for include:
- Food/restaurants
- Movie passes
- Wal-Mart, EB Games, iTunes
*They are also looking for gift cards for one young lady who is plus-sized and struggles to find clothes as well as
other resources. She would love to receive gift cards to: AdditionElle, Penningtons or Wal-Mart
Agency Contact: April Stallings; april.stallings@mcman.ca; 403-508-0442
Making Changes
Making Changes Association works to empower women to make meaningful contributions to the community. Their “WalkIn” Closet program provides personal consultations on professional business attire to women facing financial barriers who
want to join the workforce, return to school or engage in volunteer opportunities. They are looking for the following up to
date seasonal clothing items for the program:
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Women’s business and business casual clothing (ex. Suits, pants, blouses, pants,
dresses etc.)
Shoes, dress boots; coats, scarves, gloves
Handbags, portfolios, jewelry, belts
New and gently used bras; new undergarments; new hosiery (knee highs, trouser socks, pantyhose, tights)
New cosmetics, skin care and personal care products
They are also thrilled to announce the opening of their brand new teen program, “My Best Friend’s Closet” provides
teenage girls (ages 12-18) from low-income homes with fashionable and functional clothing to meet their back to school
and recreational needs. They are looking for donations of new or gently worn teen clothing items in ladies sizes XS-Plus:
- T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, cardigans, sweaters, blouses
- Jeans, pants, leggings skirts
- Athletic wear, vests
- Shoes and boots (all seasons)
- Accessories- pack sacks, purses, belts, jewelry, scarves, gloves, hats; toiletries
- Jackets (all seasons) and winter parkas
- *Highest need- new lace up running shoes (sizes 5-11), new undergarments (underwear, bras, socks)
Agency Contact: Lili Bunce; execdirector@makingchangesassociation.ca; 403-262-5776
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Calgary
The MS Society provides services to people with multiple sclerosis and their families in order to enable people affected by
MS to enhance their quality of life, as well as funding research to find a cure for this disease. This year, they are looking
for help in gathering items for their clients for this holiday season. Items they are looking for include:
- Small sizes of body lotion
- An artificial Christmas tree and decorations
- Toys for their client Christmas party (kids aged 0-13, male and female)
Agency Contact: Marie Wong; marie.wong@mssociety.ca; 403-2507090 ext. 123
The Women’s Centre
The Women’s Centre provides a safe and supportive space accessed by thousands of women in Calgary annually. They
offer women opportunities to receive and provide support, connect with others and build community.
The organization is asking people to share some holiday love! In December, women are able to come to the Centre and
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choose gifts for their children through the Toy Room Program, running from December 9 -20 , as well as being able to
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choose a gift for themselves. Donations can be dropped off now until Dec 23 . Their current areas of need are:
- New, unwrapped gifts for children; gifts for 8-12 year olds *Highest need
- Gift cards for teens
- Gift baskets or pajamas for women
- Grocery store gift cards
Agency Contact: marie@womenscentrecalgary.org; 403-264-1155
Wood’s Homes
Wood’s Homes is a multi-service, community-owned and operated children’s mental health
centre based in Calgary. Today, Wood’s Homes continues to provide services to children and their families. They strive to
continue to care for families and their children, especially those abandoned, abused or with troubles in their lives.
During this holiday season they are looking for help in gathering items for their Youth Shelter or Exit Outreach which are
their downtown storefront programs. They are looking for the following items:
- Socks and underwear (male and female, all sizes)
- Toques, mitts, neck warmers, winter boots, hand warmers
- Gift cards (ex. McDonald’s, Tim Horton’s, Burger King, iTunes, cell phone time gift cards), transit tickets
- Pajamas, thermal underwear, winter coats, hoodies, vests
- Backpacks, juice boxes, tuna and chicken flakes (lunches for high school program), fruit and granola bars
Agency Contact: Madelyn McDonald; madelyn.mcdonald@woodshomes.ca; 403-270-1766
YWCA of Calgary
The YWCA is dedicated to breaking cycles of family violence, homelessness and poverty. They support clients in meeting
their immediate and most basic needs, and then work directly with them to create positive change in their lives. Women
who are healthy as well as healthy families lead to thriving communities.
This holiday season they are looking for help in regards to collecting items for their gifts in kind holiday wish list. Items
they are looking for include:
- Passes for Calgary Zoo, TELUS Spark Science Centre, movies, rec centres, Calaway Park, Heritage Park etc.
- New women’s clothing- coats (sizes M-XXL), yoga pants, vests, fleece apparel, sweatshirts, pajamas
 Women’s boots, blankets and knitted items, hats, mitts, scarves, socks, underwear, bras, slippers
 Nail polish, mascara, cosmetics, manicure and pedicure sets, jewelry, trinkets
- New children’s clothing- coats, tights for girls 0-14 years old, warm clothing and t-shirts for all ages (infants,
children, teens), pajamas
 Children’s socks and underwear, slippers , boots/winter footwear, blankets and knitted items
- Food and food related items
 Non-perishable food items such as pasta and pasta sauces, peanut butter, cereal, juice, Kraft Dinner,
rice, instant oatmeal, specialty coffees and teas
 New pots and pans, new dishes, cookware and utensils
 Grocery store gift cards
- Personal hygiene items- shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, clippers
- Baby items- soothers, diapers, baby wipes, rattles, teething toys
- Items to play and learn *Items must be new
o Arts and craft supplies, books, baby board books, popular board games, Lego, Barbie’s and dolls,
baby toys, Dinky’s, Dinky car mats, trains, cars
*Please contact the YWCA for more information to arrange a time to drop off your donations
Agency Contact: Resource Development; donations@ywcaofcalgary.com; 403-294-7343