Christmas came early to nearly 500 families in the Timmins area this weekend as members of the Schumacher Lions Club delivered some Christmas cheer, in the form of $150 food vouchers.
The club’s 2023 edition of the Stan Fowler Christmas Fund culminated with the delivery of food vouchers to 472 families with children on Saturday.
“To date, we’re sitting at $93,800,” said Lion Treasurer John McCauley, who chairs the Christmas drive, in a news release Saturday
“It’s been an overwhelming success. It succeeded all of our expectations.”
The Lions said all of the holiday cheer they spread this weekend is thanks to the generosity of local residents.
McCauley said while much of the almost $100,000 came via a radiothon held last week local businesses and industry also came through.
“Tim Hortons gave us more than $13,000 (through the Holiday Smile Cookie campaign),” he said.
“Glencore gave us $7,500, Newmont Porcupine $5,000, CDSSAB (Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board) $5,000, OPG (Ontario Power Generation) $3,000 and Bell/NorthernTel $3,000, just to name a few.”
Organizers said they were initially worried about this year’s drive as due to inflation, club members voted to increase the value of vouchers from $125 to $150 and it was expected the need would be greater this year.
“We were a little bit concerned because of the amount we were giving out,” McCauley said. “And we know the need in the community is growing. Last year, we were around 400 (vouchers).”
While the fundraising total was greater than the amount spent on vouchers, it will still be used for Stan Fowler Christmas Fund.
“That will carry over until next year,” said McCauley.
Members of the club said they know the need is growing in the community.
“I still get calls daily for vouchers,” McCauley said.
“The cut-off (for applications) was Nov. 30. We have the cut-off for many reasons. We need to know how much money we need to collect.”
The organization said it tries to help everyone – having a process of partnering with organizations such as CDSSAB, the Ontario Disability Support Program, the Native Friendship Centre and the Wabun Tribal Council.
The partner organizations are tasked with making sure the Lions are giving the vouchers to the right people – people who need them.
Members said they do take some requests over the phone but there are criteria applicants have to meet – with their priority being helping families with children.
“If we have extra to help others, we certainly would,” said McCauley.
The Lions Club said following the delivery of the vouchers volunteers return with heartwarming tales of overjoyed children, grateful parents and sincere expressions of thanks – all coupled with a hardy handshake.
“This is my sixth year doing it (chairing the fund),” said McCauley.
“Just seeing the smile on a kid’s face and the parent’s face, knowing that we’re going to relieve some stress over Christmas. They’re going to be able to have a turkey or a ham, whatever they chose for a Christmas meal, and a little bit more as well. It’s just helping all the needy families in the community.”
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The fund has a long history in Timmins, started by Stan Fowler in 1948, a Lions Club member and local businessman, who spearheaded a campaign to collect $2,800 for Christmas baskets. He was involved directly in the campaign into the 1980s.
In 1981, the baskets were replaced by food vouchers.
McCauley said local residents can be proud of the way their community responded to the need this year.
“I would like to thank the people of Timmins, the community. From individual to corporate to small business donations, you exceeded our expectations by a country mile,” he said.
“We can’t thank you enough.”
