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Greetings!
Welcome to the November edition of the Christmas Exchange E- Newsletter. Scroll to the end of the newsletter for your chance to win a prize by answering our Fund Fact question.
Please feel free to forward this e-mail to any individual or organization you think may be interested in receiving our monthly newsletter.
For more information about the Christmas Exchange, click here to visit our website.
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| George and Jane |
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Here's how your donated dollars have helped...
George's Story
George did everything right. He went to University and has two degrees. He got a job; got married and had two children. After working for over 35 years both in Canada and abroad, George became ill and had to be hospitalized. As a result of his illness, George is no longer able to work. He now lives on a disability pension after having depleted his life's savings and RRSP's.
In his letter of thanks, George says, "When you're on a small disability pension, like me, the nature of the gifts you can give your children and the nature of the food you can celebrate the season with is restricted. The Christmas Exchange Certificate that I received helped me to enjoy some festive meals while still being able to provide some nice presents - easing the financial stress of the holidays. Many thanks to those involved."
Jane's Story
Jane had a good job in a Crown Corporation until she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis forcing her to retire at the age of 30. A single mom, Jane and her daughter now live on a total annual income of $17,000, which must cover rent, food, utilities, school supplies, and her two companion dogs. These dogs are vital to Jane in helping her manage her M.S. For example, they assist her in getting dressed, helping her get up off the floor whenever she falls, and warn her of impending attacks common to M.S. sufferers that may bring on sudden blindness. In spite of her difficulties, Jane says she doesn't dwell on what she doesn't have and can't afford, but is just grateful for what she and her daughter do have.
"The people in Ottawa have been wonderful and most generous" says Jane. "The food voucher we received last year from the Christmas Exchange allowed us to have a little extra for the holidays".
There are many others like Jane and George who will need help this holiday season. |
| How You Can Help |
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You can help thousands of families and individuals this Christmas season by making a donation to the Christmas Exchange. 
A donation of $75 will provide a food hamper, $20 will provide a turkey, but any amount you can give will help. Making a donation is easy.
Just click on the donate button.
Gifts of Securities
Donating gifts of securities is the most tax efficient way to make a charitable donation. These include anything from stocks and bonds to mutual funds.
It is now easier than ever to donate gifts of securities. To learn more about gifts of securities and how donating this way benefits you as well as the Christmas Exchange, please click here and scroll down to "Donating Gifts of Securities" to access the information on our website.
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| The Latest News |
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Ottawa's Biggest Bake Sale
On October 6th Christmas Exchange along with various community groups came together at the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church for the 7th Annual Ottawa's Biggest Bake Sale presented by TD Canada Trust. The event was an enormous success thanks to all those who came out to satisfy their sweet tooth and lend their support to Christmas Exchange. The bake sale was once again chaired by Gay Cook, Ottawa Citizen Food Columnist and long time friend of the Christmas Exchange. Sandra Blaikie, Anchor A-Channel News at 6 and the 2007 Christmas Exchange Campaign Chair, was on hand to kick off the event and welcome the hungry shoppers. With the help of eight different community groups and over twenty local bakeries, we were able to raise close to $7,500. Many thanks to our volunteers and local VIP guests who came out to help with the Bake Sale. To read more about the event click here. To view more photos, click on the above photo.
New Faces on the Christmas Exchange Board
We are pleased to announce that Christmas Exchange has two new Board Members joining our Board of Directors.
Nana Amponsah is a recent addition to the Ottawa community and hails from Toronto. She is an associate at Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP, where her practice includes all facets of corporate commercial law. Nana firmly believes in giving back to the community in which one resides and can trace her interest in volunteer experiences to her early high school days. Nana has used her legal knowledge to volunteer in her community with groups serving correctional facilities, families within the immigration system and community health centers serving women and children. She has also co-founded and organized various charity fundraising events.
Samer Forzley has over 16 years of retail and eCommerce experience. His experience ranges from Marketing, Operations Management, IT, to sales and customer Service. Samer is also an instructor of the "Enrichment Mini Courses" offered through the University of Ottawa. He has resided in the Ottawa area since 1990 and is an MBA graduate of the University of Ottawa, Telfer School of Management. His "Start up of a Small Business" course allows student to raise funds to local charities while gaining hands on experience. Samer is currently the Director of Marketing for eBillme.
We are also sorry to say goodbye to Charles Goddard as a board member. Charles also resigned from our 'Running on Empties' committee he chaired, which will now be taken over by his wife Sue. |
| Upcoming Events |
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 Pennies for Portions- November-December
Elementary and Secondary schools from across Ottawa are invited to participate in the 12th Annual Pennies for Portions fundraising campaign. Students will be collecting pennies and other loose change that they find laying around in their backpacks, lockers or even under the couch.
All monies collected will help provide food hampers and vouchers for families in need at Christmas time. If you know of a school or any other local community group that would like to participate in this event, please contact Meghan at 613- 226-6434 ext. 230.
Trees of Hope- December 1 to 14
Purchase a paper Tree of Hope for $2.00 from December 1 until December 14 at participating Loeb grocery stores in Ottawa. All proceeds will go towards hampers and food vouchers.
Christmas Cheer Broadcast- December 1
580 CFRA will hold their annual Christmas Cheer Broadcast December 1st to benefit Christmas Exchange and The Ottawa Food Bank. Make sure you tune in for holiday music, merry moments and local personalities reading pledges and donations. For more information, visit the Christmas Cheer Foundation website by clicking here.
Christmas Cheer Breakfast- December 7
The Christmas Cheer Breakfast organized by the Christmas Cheer Foundation and presented by Telus is a holiday tradition now in its 17th year. This event will be held at the Westin hotel in the heart of downtown Ottawa. It is a fantastic networking opportunity to connect with your clients, potential clients, employees and friends.
A scrumptious breakfast will be served by Ottawa's most well known and beloved celebrities. In addition to great entertainment and exciting prizes, this fundraiser promises to be the event that kick-starts your office's holiday season. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit Christmas Exchange and The Ottawa Food Bank. For information and tickets, click here.
Running on Empties- December 8
Have a tower of empty bottles piled high in your garage or in the trunk of your car? Then bring them to any Ottawa area Beer Store and donate them to Christmas Exchange. Our Running on Empties campaign invites you to donate your empty beer, wine and liquor bottles to help provide food to thousands of Ottawa area families in need this holiday season. If you'd like to participate as a volunteer please contact Sui-Ling at 613-226-6434 ext. 226
Festive Special Community Day- December 15
$1 from every Festive Special and Quarter Chicken Dinner purchased from Swiss Chalet restaurants will be donated to the Christmas Exchange. Proceeds will go directly towards providing food hampers and food vouchers to those in need this holiday season. |
| Fund Fact |
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Thank you to everyone who participated in August's Fund Fact. The correct answer to our question "How many children 12 and under did Christmas Exchange refer last year to the Salvation Army Toy Centre?" was 11,508.
Congratulations to Denise Ouellette whose name was selected in our prize draw. She wins a Memory book courtesy of Hallmark Davis Agency.
This month's Fund Fact question is:
"How many people did Christmas Exchange help in 2006?"
a) 24,300
b) 22,900
c) 21,975
d) 23,180
As usual, all of the answers can be found on the website under the About Us section. Reply by November 30 with the correct answer to prxmas@storm.ca and be entered into a prize draw. |
| Seasonal Recipes and Crafts |
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 Looking for something to keep your kids busy during the holidays? Visit the crafts section by clicking here for a list of festive craft ideas that are fun for the entire family. On the same page, you will find delicious Christmas recipes from Ottawa Citizen Food Columnist and longtime friend of Christmas Exchange, Gay Cook which includes a recipe for turkey and stuffing, and her famous shortbread cookies.
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