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The local Celtic band Irish Tree – Mike Labonté, Olivier Leclerc and Frédéric Drouin – performed during the VEQ Holiday Happy Hour. CBC Québec was also there to encourage attendees and listeners to “Share some joy and make the season kind.” (Photo by Shirley Nadeau) COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS HAMPER CAMPAIGN: VEQ Holiday Happy Hour supports Community Christmas Hamper Campaign
Shirley Nadeau
shirley@qctonline.com
The Community Christmas Hamper Campaign (CCHC) was the “star” of the annual Holiday Happy Hour hosted by Voice of English-speaking Québec (VEQ) at the Morrin Centre on Dec. 4.
Those who attended appreciated the opportunity to get together with friends during the prelude to the holiday season while also raising money for the CCHC which helps feed families in need over the holidays. In addition to receiving a chance to win a cheery houseplant door prize, attendees were encouraged to leave some “turkey tips” as they purchased a drink at the bar and raffle tickets for a host of gifts contributed by sponsors such as CBC Radio. There was a tasty buffet as well as delicious hot hors-d’oeuvres which were passed around by VEQ volunteers who were there to welcome attendees and prepare and serve food.
Local Celtic music trio Irish Tree made spirits bright with trad-Québécois interpretations of seasonal holiday songs.
Brigitte Wellens, executive director of VEQ and spokesperson for the CCHC, said, “Some of our challenges this year – and there always seem to be one or two – are increased requests for a hamper, rising food costs and of course, the postal strike. Online donations are a better option than ever, but you can always deliver your cheque in person to the reception counter of the Wellness Centre in the Jeffery Hale Pavilion at 1270, chemin Sainte-Foy from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to put your cheque in an envelope and write Community Christmas Hamper Campaign on it.”
Wellens added, “There is a 15 per cent increase in the demand from recipients this year, almost 270, some from people who have never requested a hamper before who are asking for a hamper now, even from people who have full-time jobs or newcomers who just came here but can’t access francisation classes or can’t find a job.
But I think the community will come together and we’ll make it happen. There are challenges but we have good traction. The International Lunch was very well attended. Every little bit helps!”
Visit the CCHC website at qchampers.ca to donate to the campaign and learn about other upcoming fundraising events.
Disclosure: QCT assistant copy editor Shirley Nadeau is also a member of the CCHC organizing committee and has been the chair of the committee for the past 14 years.
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