Munn’s Giving Tree

  

The Giving Tree Tags can be taken from the tree on Sunday November 16^th, 23^rd and 30^th.

 

Introduction

 

What is the Giving Tree?

 

The “Giving Tree” is a social justice initiative that Munn’s has been providing to the community for over 15 years. It is our tradition to share Christmas with people who struggle with poverty, violence, mental or emotional illness or other issues.

 

Why do we do this Christmas Outreach project?

 

On one hand we give to meet real need in our community, on the other hand, we give to deepen our spiritual lives.  Consider this:

“If people are well off in worldly possessions and see their neighbors in need, but close their hearts to them, how can the love of God be remaining in them?” (1 John 3:17)

 

How does the Giving Tree work?

 

The Giving Tree will be placed in the sanctuary with tags from the agencies for 3 Sundays (November 16, 23^rd & 30th).  The tags have information about people who need our help and loving support. You will know the age gender, size and be given any gift suggestions that have been passed on to us. Take whatever tags you wish and return the tags on the gift on or before Sunday December 7^th. Please be assured that the items listed are only a suggestion. Whatever you choose is at your discretion.

 

So that parents can see what is being given to their children, please use gift bags and tissue rather than wrapping with paper and tape. The most important thing is to ATTACH THE ORIGNAL TAG TO THE BAG. This ensures that the gifts are returned to the correct agency.

 

In this booklet you will find information about the agencies we partner with, suggestions for gifts and answers to commonly asked questions.

 

Syl Apps Youth and Secure Treatment Centre

 

This is the only facility in Canada with 3 secure programs: detention, custody and treatment. Some residents are serving sentences. Others are waiting for court dates and some have severe mental health issues.

 

They may be the most challenging and the neediest of the people we serve at Christmas.

 

Most of the tags from Syl Apps are the similar. The facility suggests safe gifts that staff will distribute, especially to those with no family support.

 

Gift cards from Wal-Mart are appreciated; as staff will use them to purchase items that the youth may not have e.g. warm clothing, undergarments and the like.

 

Although the clients are adolescents, they may be developmentally or emotionally delayed. Your younger children could help choose gifts such as calendars, journals, colorful bedding.

 

 

SAVIS  (Sexual Assault and Violence Interventions Services)

 

SAVIS is a local agency that serves families where violence of any kind is an issue. They provide emergency help and ongoing counseling for victims of violence and also have a significant outreach to the Hispanic community.

 

Last year we provided gifts for 26 families, by far our largest group.

 

Clients provide requests and sizes, but many really like gift cards. HBC, Wal-mart, Sears, Chapters and Shoppers Drug Mart are suggested if the tag is not specific.  Food cards are always appreciated by these families. No Frills and Food Basics are preferred food cards as they are accessible by public transit and there is great value at these stores. 

 

Gift cards provide the gift of “choice”, something that is usually missing from the lives of these folk.  Most often they ‘make do’. In addition, SAVIS has very limited space and they are taxed to the limit for space as they provide gifts for over 80 families.

 

If you would like to include ‘extras’, here are some suggestions: movie passes, gift certificates for a family “treat” e.g. Tim Horton’s, Bus tickets to get to SAVIS, tooth brushes/toothpaste, candies, and household cleaning products

 

 

Grace House

 

 

 Grace House is a group home located in the Trafalgar Road and Cornwall Road area.  Its mandate is to help people with psychological and/or social disadvantages and who want to learn to live independently in the community.

 

10 people + staff live there at any one time.

 

Gifts selection: The clients are asked to make their own gift suggestions. Most of them are in their mid twenties (although there are some older clients), so that style should be kept in mind when you choose your gift. Gift cards to stores within easy walking or commuting distance are appreciated as are restaurant certificates and HMV coupons.

 

Welcome extras: Edible treats/Tim Horton’s card/Starbucks certificate/Bus tickets

 

 

 

 

Local Families

 

We also add names of local families that receive support through the Benevolent Fund at Munn’s.  These families are people that live in our community and struggle with poverty.  Requests come to the office through Lisa and Meg and they make the request to the Giving Tree organizers.

 

Commonly Asked Questions

 

What do the different colored tags mean?

 

Each color represents an agency. This makes it easy for us to sort the bags after they come in. We are indicating what the colors mean this year, so that you are able to consider the situation of the person you are buying for. In addition, it really helps with the sorting on White Gift Sunday.

 

 

What if I forget my gift?

 

 Someone has to replace it, especially if it belongs to Grace House, as they typically have their party the Tuesday after White Girt Sunday. Sadly, we have to replace about 5 gifts each year. Almost invariably, after we have done so, and the replacement gifts are all delivered, the original gift comes in.  If we’re lucky, it’s something another person can use. Often, it’s a specific request that only suits the person who asked for it.

 

Why gift bags instead of wrapping?

 

 Syl Apps gifts have to undergo a security check for safety reasons.  SAVIS parents like to see what their kids are getting.  Bags are easier to carry, look good and are less work for you.

A gift certificate doesn’t seem very personal. Isn’t it better to try and find exactly what the person has asked for?

 

A gift certificate is very personal. It allows the recipient to choose what they would like, rather than what you think they would like. It’s a “gift of choice” and it may be the only time in the year when they have the chance to make such a choice. Think about how much joy you get from picking out the gifts you are able to give to your family at this time of year. Why not use your creativity on a couple of “extras” to add to the gift?

 

I’m too old/not inclined/too busy to shop. How can I participate?

 

Money is a welcome alternative. We can use it to buy extra food cards for a large family, contribute to an expensive item, like a new winter coat or buy gift certificates for one of the agencies.

 

How should I wrap a gift card?

 

If you have added ‘extras’ to the gift card, place in the gift bag with those small add on gifts.  This year we will be placing a basket by the giving tree for gift cards so that they are not lost or fall into other gift bags.  Please ensure you attach your gift tag to the gift card before placing it in the basket.

 

 

Why do we have so many tags for teenagers? I’d like tickets that reflect the ages of my children.

 

Teenagers need us the most and that’s what’s most important at Munns.

Some people think that teens should be out working and don’t need a gift, other churches and agencies are not inclined to give gifts to “young offenders”. (We take 25 tags from Syl Apps). 

 

The fact is teenagers feel poverty more keenly than their younger siblings. Peers are important and having what other kids have can help to make them like others in their peer group. Many of the teens from SAVIS help with the care of younger children or provide money from part time jobs to help to feed the family.  Teenagers can be easy to buy for! They love gift certificates from places like HBC, the Source and HMV. A coupon for a movie with popcorn and a drink is a great treat as is a coupon from Pizza Pizza or Subway.

 

 

 

 

 

Million or More - Oakville  A number of Oakville groups or 'communities' are coming together in order to raise $1,000,000 or more for the Stephen Lewis Foundation between December 1 (World AIDS Day) of this year and December 1, 2009.  The umbrella committee will be chaired by Sally Armstrong and co-chaired by Ann Mulvale.  If you wish to become involved with this initiative, contact Wendy Belcher.  Munn's will be part of this campaign through its annual Valentine's High Tea in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and its ongoing work in support of AIDS victims and caregivers in Africa.

 

MUNN'S IN MISSION

 

Volunteers from Munn's provide dinner at the Lighthouse Shelter in Oakville one day each month.  The dinner is made and served by our volunteers.  This caring community service provides the client of the Lighthouse with both a warm, hearty meal and caring conversation.  For more information on these dinners, speak to Joan Graham.

The Social Justice committee and people at Munn's have supported many of the Habitat for Humanity builds in the Halton Region (and around the world).  Some of our members have helped build a number of homes.  At all the Halton builds, Munn's is well-known for the wonderful lunches its members provide to the builders!

Munn's has been providing space to the Al-Anon group for a number of years for an open meeting on Sunday evenings.  Starting in January, 2008 we will also provide space for an Al-A-Teen group on Sunday evenings as well.  If you know anyone in the community that would benefit from this program, please encourage them to contact the Sunday Night open meeting sponsors for more information.