For nine years the end of October has marked the start of the “Fill the Tree” campaign at the Lamont Leader.
This is where staff and associates of the Leader, along with our dedicated readers are invited to fill the Christmas tree published in the Leader each week with donations of $5 or more with all the proceeds going to the County of Lamont Food Bank to help with their Christmas hamper campaign.
Last year, Leader Office Manager and graphic designer Crystal Moren said the campaign raised more than $7,000.
“That was almost double our previous high mark for donations,” said Moren.
“We sent in more after the New Year because many donations came in over the Christmas holiday.
“People from all walks of life come in to make donations,” she added. “We had one lady come in this morning to make a donation.”
Moren said every week names of new donors are added to the tree and the final total is determined at the last edition of the paper for the year, just prior to Christmas.
The campaign runs for 10 weeks each year.
She said the Lamont Health Centre staff collect donations from their residents and bring them into the Leader office to make a donation on behalf of the residents.
County of Lamont Food Bank Director of Operations Jody Zachoda said requests for the Christmas Hampers will start being accepted beginning Nov. 12 and will continue to be accepted until Dec. 12.
Distribution of the hampers will take place Dec. 22 and people will be asked to call and get an appointment to pick up their hamper.
JOHN MATHER
