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Play Santa for Whistler families

Whistler Community Services Society launches its 2012 Christmas hamper program
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Christmas cheer: Whistler Community Services Society is looking for Saint Nicks and Saint Nicoles to take part in its 2012 Christmas hamper program. Photo submitted.

Whistler Community Services Society is looking for Saint Nicks and Saint Nicoles to take part in its 2012 Christmas family adoption, bringing good cheer and hampers to local families whose budgets can't stretch that far.

Those wanting to make a contribution can help a smaller or larger family by raising the funds to put a hamper together for them. The WCSS delivers the hampers.

Small families are sponsored by donations of between $180 and $210, while large families are sponsored by donation of between $290 and $320. The hampers consist of holiday foods and gifts, and are tailor-made for each family.

Jackie Dickinson, the WCSS's outreach worker, said 34 families used the service in 2011. She expects at least as many this year.

"They are local Whistler families. They have been identified as being financially restricted or in need based on working with a member of our outreach team and so they access service through our food bank, maybe, or one of our other programs," Dickinson said.

"We get their information, the number of children in their families, their needs and wish lists."

Dickinson said they expected a "huge response" from Whistler businesses, including some who make donations in lieu of buying presents for their work colleagues or blowing the budget on the office party. Families and friends who want to band together to support a local family are also welcome to join in.

The deadline for families who want to take part is coming up soon, Nov. 13. The deadline for sponsors is Nov. 20.

Contact Jackie Dickinson at 604-932-0113 or at jackie@mywcss.org for more information.