On Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. The Community Christmas Concert released their 42nd Annual Community Christmas Concert virtually. We were grateful this year to be able to gather as a cast so we were able to produce an all new original show. We have been overwhelmed with the community support. Our video has been viewed over 7200 times!
As always, we accepted donations to support families and children in our community. We had cash donation boxes, and accepted etransfers. This year we received almost $30,000 in donations. We have received support from across Canada from folks who had made the Christmas Concert a tradition and had not been able to experience it for many years. We had beautiful stories that touched our hearts. As always, 100 per cent of the donations go to families in our community.
That is a lot of money. However, there is a lot of need this year. Normally, the day after the concert, we would gather as a group of volunteers of 15 plus to shop together for lists of children that we have received from Limestone School Board in the Napanee North Addington Family of Schools. This year, we broke down into small family groups who then shopped for individual schools or organizations.
We have been able to support over 195 children in 13 schools in our area. Each one of those children have received a new set of clothing, pajamas, socks, underwear, hats, mittens, and at least one or two toys/gifts to ensure that when they look under their tree on Christmas morning, they will have the best Christmas ever. We have also been able to help organizations with folks who have individuals with special needs and other organizations who support those in need in the community to ensure they would also celebrate Christmas with gifts and food and joy. We were also able to support individuals in crisis who need extra support at this point in their lives. All together we worked with more than 17 schools and organizations to provide for over 225 children and families in the community. Special thanks to our dedicated group of cast members and volunteers who shopped tirelessly for the first 2 weeks of December to make this all happened.
This is due to the extreme generosity of our community – both individuals and businesses. I wish I could name them as they all deserve recognition.
Thanks has to go out to our amazing cast who continue to show up year after year to put on this unique, organic experience that touch our hearts and those who come to watch us. Special thanks to Sam Wood and Jameson Wood and Wood Creative Group who put this video together for us at no charge.
Goodness surrounds us. And this year more than ever it has been seen and been appreciated. We hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas from The Community Christmas Concert Group. We wish you a year of hope, joy and love and the wish we will all be together next year.
Sincerely
Mae Whalen
Organizer
Community Christmas Concert