The Twelve Days of Cridge-Mas

It can be a challenge during the Christmas season to know just what to buy, whom to support, and where best to spend your precious time, talent and resources. Here's our helpful guide to make your holidays just that little bit easier, updated each day from December 10 – 21: 

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[toggle title=”Day 1: Fill a Hamper”] All clients who receive hampers have now been spoken for. Thank you for your generous response.

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[toggle title=”Day 2: Stuff a Stocking”]On Friday, December 14 drop by The Cridge Village Senior's Centre Grande Lounge between 7:30 and 10:00 am for warm drinks, tasty treats, lively music, and to Stuff the Stocking for The Cridge Respitality Service. As well as a lovely morning break, you'll be providing much needed support for families raising children with special needs.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Day 3: Transfer a Security”]Nothing says “I Care” like the gift of a stock transfer. While they may not top the list for your family members, a gift to the organization of stocks or other securities will mean we are able to help even more people in 2013. Find out more, including a transfer form for you and your broker to complete, on our Giving page.

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[toggle title=”Day 4: Send a Man, or 10, to the Movies”]For some men who call our brain injury residence home, social activities are a part of their recovery process. For others, a night at the movies is just a great change in routine, and an opportunity to have a little fun and forget about recovery for a while. Either way, a gift of 10 passes or gift cards for the nearby Cineplex will provide a great night out for the residents that will continue to bless them after the final credits roll. [/toggle]

[toggle title=”Day 5: Give of Yourself”]There is nothing like the joy of making another person smile, and that is what our volunteers do every time they give of themselves to spend time with our clients. Call B-I-N-G-O at the The Cridge Village Senior’s Centre, help in the childcare centre, or tidy the gardens at MacDonald House. When you give of yourself, you give the very best! Find out more on out Volunteer page.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Day 6: Save a Seat”]Do you or a local organization you know have six folding chairs in good repair you’d like to give a new home? Our brain injury support groups at Mary Cridge Manor could put them to good use! Contact mcm@cridge.org to arrange to donate the chairs.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Day 7: Furnish a Happy Morning”]When woman and children arrive at The Cridge Transition House for Women, they’ve often left behind some of the basics of life. Your gift of alarm clocks, umbrellas, slippers, or pyjamas will ensure a safe night’s sleep and happy good morning. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Day 8: Stock a Cupboard”]Both The Cridge Young Parent Outreach Program and The Cridge Dovetail Services maintain emergency food cupboards for clients to access on their leanest days. Non-perishable food items, diapers and toiletries are always in high need, as are bus tickets and grocery gift cards. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Day 9: Deliver Safety”]A financial donation to The Cridge Transition House for Women’s “Keys in Hand Fund” will cover the costs of moving, storage, and utilities for a woman starting out in her new, violence-free, home. Just designate ‘Keys in Hand’ in the memo of your cheque or in the Message box via online donation on our Canada Helps page.[/toggle] [toggle title=”Day 10: Re-Gift that old Cell”]Giving new phones to your teens this Christmas? Bring your old phone in for recycling and the money we make goes toward new phones for women or towards getting their phone number changed.[/toggle] [toggle title=”Day 11: Leave a Legacy”]The Cridge Centre for the Family may not exist today if not for the forward thinking and planning of key saints along the way who bequeathed gifts in their wills. Your thoughtful addition of The Cridge Centre in your estate planning will mean a brighter future for the organization and the people we serve. Contact Shannon Whissell, Manager of Communication & Fund Development, to learn more.  [/toggle] [toggle title=”Day 12: Say a Little Prayer”]This gift is last, not because it is the least important, but because we want it to stick with you. Please pray for us. Pray for our leadership – the board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer Shelley Morris – that they will have discernment, courage and wisdom in guiding the organization. Pray for our management and staff who go so far and beyond their job descriptions to make a difference in the lives of clients’ they interact with. Pray for the safety and preservation of our physical resources, that they will last to serve so many more people. And, as always, please pray for our clients, for their safety, and that their time with us will be time that edifies, strengthens, and encourages them.

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And, just to get you in the mood, here's a very fun 12 Days of Christmas that's sure to leave you with a smile: