The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

IBNEWS THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO HELP, SAYS GROUP LEADER Continued from page 6 The kettle drive, which dit card donations. also helps provide outreach pro- is the rest of the year, said Sandra. Aszmies, com- ies director. seen it with our food bank = Sehrobably a 80 to 40 per ise over ‘previous come she said. About 10,000 kids will benefit from toys collected through the Salvation Ar- my this year and there are 1,500 winter coats needed. Camy are also under- way to raise those dona- ‘oes, one: for socks that are distribut- ed to various local agencies. The Tree of Hope Campaign for Family & Children's Services provides a cata- logue that allows people to choose levels of support, from providing a holiday snack for families to more direct support for children in the form of gift cards. Organizations including Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region try to pro- vide holiday cheer on an as- needed basis all year. "We acknowledge a vari- ety of holidays and celebra- tions depending on what those that we serve chose to observe," said executive di- rector Jen Hutton. "We pro- vide gift cards for special meals and gifts. The gift cards are generously do- nated byt the ne ation - The tries to provide th things such lealing wil needs from those that they serve, so continue to rely on the community. We have seen domestic violence rates increased and sadly the level of violence has al- so escalated." Dozens of Ukrainian ref- ugees are also expected to arrive in Waterloo Region in December and January, most with very few belong- ings. The Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian risis says it i: is heed for rent for families moving to a 13-bedroom guest house in Maryhill. The are many ways people can help, said the group's leader, Steph Go- ertz, and more hosts are needed to provide transi- mas noting that refugees with limited funds won't likely be spending money on toys and pre: Goerta seid individuals or groups wanting to work mn some baskets and gifts can send her an email at wrgrassrootsre- sponse@gmiail.com as new- comers won't be connected ple to learn more about what. local organizations and service providers are going on the ground these wits one for all; all for together as one to support other," she said. "I kno’ ce xtra dollar available, porting your neighbour is isnot just the ethical thing to do, it's the good thing to do.” STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the season of giving here for many peo- ple, we checked in with some local charities for an update. UPTOWN'S WINTER WONDERLAND IS THIS WEEKEND The Christmas tree in Waterloo Town Square lights up this Friday eve- ning, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. “We have live music, our Sarge from Bounce (radio) as MCs, and most impor- tantly, the big man in red help us with ie “countdown.” shares Tracy Van Kalsbeek, exec- utive director of the Up- town Waterloo Business ues to be an important part of their economic recovery, and we invite everyone to take advantage of the spe- cial promotions and give- aways being offered by our participating retailers, eat- eries, salons and stores." Friday night also in- cludes an artisan market inside the Shops at Water- loo Town Square from 6 p.m. to 10 p. "Over 40 ) Tocal vendors will be on-site Friday night as wellas during the day on Saturday with great ideas for aoe gifting, “ notes Van Kalsb Holiday. ‘homed charac- ters will hand out candy canes during the daytime on Saturday, and Santa will make a return visit to stroll around the square from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. when chil- dren can share their holi- day wish li: The Wonders of Win- ters festival of lights will iso be on at Waterloo Park at nighttime SOURCE FLOORING 1362 VICTORIA ST N. REG 3 29 HARASS 9AM-6PM STARTING FROM Ww . 2'x TOAM-SPM) www.sourcervooninc.c ZZ0z ‘} Jequieseg ‘Aepsiny, | efs]UOIYD CO"EIEM | 7 eo 'e[D]UOIYyDOOLETEM