Christmas bustle – Connections is busy, thankful and hopeful this season

Connections team is well into the Christmas bustle, helping client families get to their appointments, attend workshops on Christmas budgeting and enjoying our own small traditions. This was the 4th annual United Way Silent Auction and Potluck. Our creative team made cool and cozy things to auction and there was friendly competition to get a coveted item — with all proceeds to support the United Way Campaign.

Next up is our client Family Christmas party where families enjoy a hot meal, some play time and then a visit from Santa for a customized family present — a movie night for one family, outdoor play for another and a family outing for a third.

We are so grateful for the community support this year that has allowed us to celebrate our 25th year, share the fun with the SunAlta Community Association (thanks to The Calgary Foundation!) and continue to support over 100 families.

Many in Calgary face uncertainty this Christmas and so we are mindful of the extra pressures that might limit Christmas giving. With some of our families being turned away by the Food Bank recently, we want to assure you that even the smallest donation makes a BIG difference to a family in need.

We anticipate more of our families will need that extra $50 grocery Gift Card to get to the end of the month going forward. And so every little bit helps — it can be the difference between stability and crisis for our families. If families or companies want to take on a special Christmas project this year, we’ve got our 12 Days of Christmas list that gives you ideas to help our families, with a range of items and values to fit any budget.

Warm wishes to our supporters — our donors, volunteers and friends — who think of our families through the year.