The first Sunday of Advent was observed on Nov. 30 at St. Clare’s Anglican Church on the outskirts of Winchester. Parishioners were invited to take a tag from the Angel Tree located at the Church and return the unwrapped gift with the tag by Sun., Dec. 14. St. Clare’s incumbent Reverend Jonathan Askwith, shown here with parishioner Bob Weagant, a volunteer with the NDCF, when asked about the location of the angel tree at St. Clare’s commented “it is important that a church reach out in loving service to the local community beyond its walls.” Thompson Goddard Photo

NORTH DUNDAS – For many years the North Dundas Christmas Fund (NDCF) has supported families to celebrate the holiday season and provide local children with warm winter clothing.

A fundraising letter to residents and businesses explains the North Dundas Christmas Fund works with “local Lions Clubs, the Royal Canadian Legion, Winchester BMR, area food banks, schools and churches” to provide snowsuits for children up to and including the age of 13 and for local families Christmas food baskets.

It was noted last year, thanks to the “support of our generous community, we provided 191 hampers and 127 snowsuits” to community members.  Donations can be made in a variety of ways including mailing a cheque to the North Dundas Christmas Fund, Box 310, Winchester, On. K0C 2K0 or by e-transfer sent to northdundaschristmasfund@gmail.com and supply your name and address on the e-transfer.

In many locations throughout North Dundas, such as hospitals, churches and some businesses are located angel trees.  On the angel trees are tags identifying a gift is needed for either a boy or girl.  People are asked to take a tag and return a gift for the individual to the location by Dec. 14.

Families and individuals needing support were asked to register for either snowsuits or food baskets by contacting either Community Food Share of House of Lazarus. Volunteers will be participating in the North Dundas Parade of Lights in Winchester and further information is available on the organization’s Facebook page.