鈥淭o help people less fortunate.鈥�
鈥淓veryone deserves a home and something to eat.鈥�
鈥淣o one should be cold.鈥�
鈥淓veryone should have a safe place.鈥�
These were just some of the comments students from the Lord Tennyson elementary have told this reporter over the years, about why they work so hard to gather donations for the 颁辞耻谤颈别谤鈥檚 annual drive for Directions Youth Services, a non-profit organization that helps street youth meet immediate needs through hot meals, showers and laundry facilities.
Glacier Media office manager June Stafford started the Christmas initiative 12 years ago and since then has collected countless items for street youth and kids living in shelters 鈥� and the Tennyson students have been a big part of the program鈥檚 success. But donations are down this year, so the deadline to make a contribution has been extended to Dec. 19.
Directions Youth Services encourages teens and young adults to seek support through education, recreation and artistic programs. In addition to lockers and pet kennels, the centre also offers a space for youth to shower and clean up before a job interview, a family meeting or for their own sake, which is why it鈥檚 so important to carry essential toiletries such as disposable razors, shampoo, tampons, soap and hair clippers. Other items on the centre鈥檚 wish list include gift cards, particularly for fast-food restaurants and coffee shops, transit passes and new items such as underwear, sneakers and boots, warm jackets, gloves, hats, socks, rain pants and jackets, and any teen-appropriate clothing. Homeless youth are always in need of sleeping bags, backpacks, tarps, sheets, blankets and first aid items. For more information about Directions, visit fsgv.ca. Donations of new goods can be dropped off Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Courier office 鈥� please note our new address is 303 West Fifth Ave. 鈥� or call 604-630-3501 and ask for June.
