CORNWALL, Ontario – The Friends with Hearts chapter in Cornwall is organizing their fourth Christmas fundraiser in support of families from Maison Baldwin House.
Some guests at Schnitzels European Flavours in Cornwall’s downtown might have seen the beautifully decorated Christmas tree near the entrance. The tree is decorated in lights and ornaments and also gift tags. The gift tags describe the type of gift and type of person it is for.
Gifts are then donated based on the information on the tag and Friends with Hearts wrap the gifts and send them to Maison Baldwin House, who get the gifts to pre-selected families.
The families have all recently left Baldwin House and are now in new safe homes.
The gifts range from things like a new crib to simple things like shampoo and conditioner.
In their first year, Friends with Hearts raised about $2, 000 in cash donations and Justine Viray-Levac of Schnitzels says that it grows each year. In addition to the gifts, Friends with Hearts also donates gift cards for the families.
“We try to make sure each kid in each family has an equal amount of gifts,” said Viray-Levac. “We also fill stockings for them and get gift cards for mom. They (Baldwin House) don’t ask us for it, but we like to add that on.”
To get a gift, first take a tag from the tree at Schnitzels or find one on their wish list on the Friends with Hearts Cornwall Facebook Page.
All items should be dropped of at Schnitzels by Dec. 16 and on Tuesday, Dec. 19 there will be a wrap party at Schnitzels from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friends with Hearts Cornwall was started by Justine Viray-Levac, Amberly Leger and Christie Camplin who help run the charity every year.
