The Akwesasne Community pulling together at last minute
Oct 28, 2015
to ensure families can celebrate the holiday season with a smile
AKWESANSE, NY – After receiving word in later October from the Mountain of Toys/Akwesasne Community Basket Drive Committee that they would not be holding the annual charity event, other community members are stepping up to the plate to ensure our families in need are able to have a happy holiday season with a food basket and toys for the children.
The Community Members pulling together are from our area businesses, Tribal and MCA staff, church members and other committees: April Lauzon, Jill Benedict, Clarissa Chatland, Patricia Thomas, Lori Thompson, Julia Back, Gloria Herne, Lynn Thompson, Ron Lafrance, Debbie Thomas, PJ Herne, Everett Lazore, Caroline Peters, Sharon Thompson, Richard Laffin, Agatha Thompson, Dave Mainville, Matt Rourke, Starr Thomas and Melissa Jacobs.
“The holiday season can be an overwhelming time for families struggling to make ends meet, especially families with children expecting toys from Santa,” said the committee members. “this last-minute fundraiser is our effort to make sure families and children have a magical holiday season.”
The committee has renamed the event to Akwesasne Holiday Helpers. The Akwesasne Holiday Helpers are asking for your help and patience during the transition.
Preregistrations for families will be at the following locations and dates:
Saint Kateri Hall
Monday, November 2: 8am to 4pm Tuesday, November 3: 8am to 4pm Wednesday, November 4: 8am to 4pm Thursday, November 5: 8am to 4pm
HAVFD Station #1
Friday, November 6: 8 am to 6 pm Saturday, November 7: 8 am to 6 pm Sunday, November 8: 8 am to 6 pm
The committee is looking for food, cash and toy donations. Food and/or toys can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Tribal Community Building
- Community Support Program office at the Kanonhkwatsheri:io Health Facility in St. Regis Quebec
Food donations should be Stove Top Stuffing, canned cranberries, cookie mix, cake mix, canned veggies, canned gravy, and/or cake frosting. Contacts: Caroline Peters at 613-551-6244.
For cash donations, checks can be payable to Akwesasne Holiday Helpers. Please contact Gloria Herne at 518-651-1061.
The annual fundraising event will be held on December 11, 2015 at the Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department’s Station #1, located at 818 State Route 37.
Baskets will be will available the following week, December 14th through December 18th at the former IGA building on State Route 37, Akwesasne.
Come on Akwesasne, lets pull together to make this happen.
Niawen ko:wa from Akwesasne Holiday Helpers.
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Please direct media inquiries to the Communications Department at 518-358-2272.