Cathy Mitchell, one of the program co-ordinators of the Our Place drop in centre sponsored by the Greater Sudbury Association For Community Living, is shown standing beside some of the 220 Christmas Boxes which will be shipped to a little orphanage situated at Christianville, Haiti, where over 100 boys and girls up the age of 20 call home. With her are Sally Jackson and Fern Laplante, two of the clients who use the facility and who were among the over 15 clients who helped wrap up the colourful shoe boxes.

In an effort to brighten up the spirits of the children, the group at ‘Our Place’, located at the old ‘Our Lady of Fatima School’ in Blezard Valley, decided to take part in a special Christmas project which consisted of making up little Christmas boxes containing little items which are needed badly by the children. Simple little things like combs, hairbrushes, socks, pens, pencils, paper, glue, crayons, small toys, little dolls, pencil sharpeners, small cars, stuffed toys, balls, hair elastics, skipping ropes, etc. were placed inside these boxes for the children.

Adolescent boxes contain such items as deodorant, socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, toiletries, pocket games, cards, washclothes, personal trinkets and little diaries.

Babies and toddlers will receive rattles, teething rings, soothers, stuffed animals, sleepers, hats, safety pins, baby toys and hair brushes.

Mitchell, along with Laurie Armstrong, another program co-ordinator at Our Place, were thrilled with the response from the good people of Valley East and Capreol to assist them in this wonderful project.

“We received so many things that we actually exceeded our original goal,” explained Mitchell. “We have a total of 220 boxes plus ten other larger boxes with things like medical supplies, dental supplies and other things like that. I’m sure anything we send extra will be fully appreciated by orphanage.”

“Please express our appreciation to all of the people who donated items to this project,” asked Armstrong. “The residents of this community are just wonderful for helping us out. It’s unbelievable how many people helped us out.”

As well as the boxes, donors signed their name to a Canada Flag which will also be sent to the orphanage. The flag will be displayed in a prominent spot out of respect for the help we have been in improving the quality of life of the young children. Everything is scheduled to be shipped out during mid-January, when a military plane will be available to deliver the goods.

The project went so well that Our Place, Greater Sudbury Association For Community Living is already planning for next year.