Our team has been busy this month as we head into the holidays, helping bring the spirit of the season to 50 local Nelson and Castlegar families, breaking last year’s record of 47 families. Throughout 2019, our employees have voluntarily contributed $10,000 through payroll deductions which was matched by the Company. This was supplemented by other fundraising activities including a 50/50 draw to total $25,000, beating last year’s total by $5,000. We have been making lists and checking them twice, shopping, organizing, wrapping and delivering our food hampers and toys.
We would like to thank all the local organizations who supported this annual initiative, and specifically, Secret Garden Toys in Nelson for opening early on a Saturday morning and providing a charitable discount for our team, supporting 150 children this year. The Kootenay Market also pitched in with financial and staff support for both perishable and non-perishable items. Sutco, Spearhead and other Kalesnikoff partners also gave generous financial support towards our company’s “Hope for the Holidays” program.
The gifts are distributed among families in Nelson — in partnership with the Salvation Army — and Castlegar, with the Castlegar and District Community Service Society, to spread the spirit across our local communities.
“I am thrilled every year as Christmas rolls around to be able to partner with Kalesnikoff, in helping families who are in need of support, have a wonderful Christmas with their families! This year has been an especially hard year for our community and as well for our organization. As the community is challenged, the donations become less, and so our ability to meet needs is impacted as well. Kalesnikoff ‘s management and staff have gone out of their way to ensure that needs are met, and people looked after. Their commitment to the program and to our community is beautiful. Not only have they Adopted, and provided Christmas for 25 Nelson families, but they’ve also made a financial donation to help us provide for those needing a hand up, not only now, but in the years to come! We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to Kalesnikoff”s management and staff for all you do to make Christmas a special time for families in our community. This generosity has an impact on families and the community all year round!” – Val Sherriff, Nelson Salvation Army
“For many families in Castlegar, having enough is tough, and even tougher during this time of year. Even meeting the basic necessities of life can be out of reach. CDCSS works to provide direct, compassionate and non-judgmental services to our community through our 20+ programs and services. Through our Christmas Sponsorship program, CDCSS provides a sponsor a family program that provides our families to be connected with a sponsor to help with Christmas. Kalesnikoff this year is supporting Castlegar 25 families with Christmas, a Christmas that they would otherwise not have. This will be the best year so far for Castlegar families. We are so thankful to have this great friendship with Kalesnikoff. In total, we will help 35 families and seniors this year.” – Kristein Johnson, CDCSS
