Husky matches community donations to CCS Santa Fund

December 19, 2019 · 0 Comments

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

Husky Injection Molding System has worked alongside Caledon Community Services (CCS) each Christmas season since 2002. Their partnership has brought support and necessities to struggling families in Caledon.

There are 1,500 families in the Caledon community who are struggling, according to CCS. With Christmas right around the corner, this time of year can be crucially difficult for literally hundreds individuals and families. CCS has dedicated every year at Christmas time to lend a hand to those in need.

Husky will be matching donations in partnership with the annual CCS run Santa Fund. They will be matching donations up to a whopping $25,000. CCS couldn’t be more proud and thankful for their 12 year long partnership.

“It’s been immensely successful because when people know their dollars are going to be matched, they give more, they give more generously, it’s a feel-good thing,” explains Donna Cragg, Director of Communications and Development, Caledon Community Services. “$25,000 makes a huge difference in the amount of people that it reaches in the community, and what it provides. Not only at Christmas, but it continues to provide year-round.”

Organizations such as CCS rely on toy and food donations to provide aid to struggling families in the community. CCS goes further by not only helping with providing nutritious support, but also with their heat and utilities at home, as well as counselling on top of it all.

“Counselling and goal-setting, which is our care coordination. They get a counsellor assigned to them to help them through whatever they encounter in their life struggles. If we can’t help them directly, then they know the source where they can receive the help,” says Cragg. “It also goes to goal-setting and educational aspects where they can help with not only what they can feed their family, but how they can prepare it. We have the kitchen at the Exchange too, so there are nutritional cooking workshops and all that kind of stuff.”

She added, “On top of the Santa fund, there’s family days. The family days were Dec.. 7 and Dec. 14 this year, and we had upwards of 60 individuals and families volunteering that day, either to bake cookies or sort food or set up Santa’s workshop for the people that will begin distribution later this week.

“During the Santa Fund distribution, the Exchange is closed to regular operations because we want to give each family the opportunity to go in with the privacy to do their own selection and hopping. Some people are fine and enjoy the shopping, but some people are really struggling with it and it’s a highly emotional time for them so we don’t want it open to the public at that time.”

The Santa Fund began in 1982, distributing food and toys for the holiday season. As the years progressed, families began to turn to CCS for their assistance. CCS and Husky Injection Molding Systems encourages local residents, businesses, services to help contribute to those who are in need in the community through the Santa Fund.

“Husky is very happy to help support the Santa Fund again this year,” said Stacie Kordts, VP of Human Resources at Husky Injection Molding Systems. “We are glad to be part of the immense contribution that Caledon Community Services makes in helping local families. We proudly support this initiative. We encourage other local businesses and residents of Caledon to contribute to the Santa Fund and have a hand in giving back to the community. The positive impact on children and families is gratifying to see.”

Monty Laskin, CEO of Caledon Community Services expresses how grateful CCS is and has been over the years with the number of volunteers willing to help as well as the partnership with Husky.

“Hundreds of volunteers are working closely with our staff to make the Santa Fund the most successful in CCS’ 48-year history. We’re grateful beyond words for the support of Husky and for the support the community.”

He added, “We hope that together we can reach our goal of $180,000. There are increased challenges we know are coming our way in 2020.”

For more information or to donate to the Santa Fund please visit ccs4u.org/santa-fund or by phone at 905-584-2300 ext. 260.