Giving to others during the holidays is a rewarding experience for many people. Often, the little gestures of time and effort are more appreciated than money. Red Deer has several organizations that residents can choose to connect with during the Christmas season to help others who are less fortunate. Some of the most popular events and their information are listed below.
Toys for Tickets
Dates: November 1, 2015 to December 4, 2015
According to the website,
All donated toys:
- Should be for eight to 16-year old children, or for under the age of two because these toys are widely requested
- Each toy must be new and still in the store packaging
- Each toy must also be the same price or more than the ticket
Location:
Toys will be collected at City Hall on the first floor. Residents can also drop them off from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. any day of the work week. Ticket holders should bring their parking ticket with them when they donate the toy. Residents that provide toys that are not the same price as the ticket must pay the difference. Receipts are required for donations.
Red Deer River Watershed Alliance
Breakfast servers are needed to volunteer to serve the public at this years final breakfast. The group needs four people that can be available for as much as ten hours to help with prep, serving, and clean-up. There will be others duties as well like boxing donations.
Dates: Dec 11, 2015
Times: 7:40 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Cost: Free, but the public is asked to bring a toy or food donation for the Red Deer Christmas Bureau. Registration is requested to keep track of the number of attendees.
Registration information: RSVP by December 9th by registering online at www.rdrwa.ca or e-mail i[email protected] or calling Kelly at (403)340-7379.
The Salvation Army Needs Volunteers
The Salvation Army needs people to donate two-hour blocks of their time during the holiday season. They need bell ringers to support over a dozen community causes this year. This year, the Salvation Army is setting up bell ringing kettles in ten stores and malls across Red Deer.
Dates: November 19 to December 23, 2013
Times: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Contact information:
The Salvation Army
Contact Person: Debbie
Phone Number: 403-346-2251
Email Address: [email protected]
Show Your Talent with CARE in Red Deer
CARE needs help with set-up and clean-up of their local events. They also need people who have talents like singing, dancing, and playing an instrument to volunteer for one of their events. They provide training for people who want to help but have no experience. They offer face painting and henna tattoos at some events, so people that can do these activities can also volunteer. CARE needs help throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season when they put on most of their events.
Contact information:
Central Alberta Refugee Effort
Contact Person: Melissa Duran
Phone Number: 403-346-8818
There are many wonderful ways that the citizens of Red Deer can give back to their community. Offering to drive an elderly person to the grocery store or volunteering to babysit for the busy mom a few houses down is always welcome help to people. By simply taking the time to donate a few hours, people can begin to share in the blessings of volunteering in their community. Red Deer is proud to have a community filled with helpful residents that look after one another.