Jim Scopie shows off the Cumberland Health Care Foundation ornament he received in his honour from Hope Harrison, who sent it to thank him for his musical gifts to the community. With him is Jodi Swan, managing director of the foundation that also does the Light the Way campaign to raise funds at Christmas. Many of the lights are bought in honour of friends and family, who receive a card to let them know of the gift in their name.

December 17, 2005 - The Citizen

Giving gift of a charitable donation great way to celebrate the season
By Sandra Bales

AMHERST – A wise man once said "tis more blessed to give than receive" and it rings especially true at Christmas time.

When the person on your gift list wants for nothing, some times it is more blessed to give to charity, than to buy an unneeded item that will only gather dust.

Giving gifts of charitable donations is a popular way of remembering both someone special and the special causes they support.

Jodi Swan, managing director of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation, said the organization that raises funds for hospital equipment at the county's acute care hospital has several ways people can contribute in the name of a loved one during the holidays.

We have a pewter Christmas ornament for "10 and a card and we have sent them all over the place Swan said.

She explained it is a great way to support local health care and give a small gift to love ones at the same time.

The Light the Way campaign is another way to remember loved ones and help the hospital.

"A lot of the Light the Way lights are in honour of people and we send a card to that person saying a light has been purchased in their honour," explained Swan.

A charitable tax receipt will also be sent for the donation.

To learn more or make a donation, drop by the foundation office at the Cumberland Health Care Centre.

If the person being honoured with a donation in their name is an animal lover, the LA Animal Shelter in Nappan also accepts charitable donations and sends out a lovely Christmas card to the honouree.

Jean Henley, chair of the board that runs the shelter, said they get at least a dozen of these donations at Christmas, but would certainly welcome more. The funds are used to help care for the animals at the no-kill shelter until they can find a home.

To make a donation call Catherine MacKay at 667-3114 or send it to her at 12 Westminster Avenue, Amherst, N.S., B4H 3V4.

Another worthy charity that welcomes Christmas gift donations is Autumn House. The transition house for women will send a charitable receipt and thank you Christmas card to the person whose name the donation has been made.

"The donor can specify if the funds are for a family in need and we can then pass it along to them, as well," said Caroline Foster, a New Directions program leader at Autumn House.

She added the house also accepts donation of groceries for the small food bank they have on the premises for clients of Autumn House. Foster said the food bank is for women who are in need that are working with a counsellor, or women who have left the shelter and have set up housekeeping on their own.

"After Christmas is a tough time for many and the food bank is a help to them," she added.

All charities are worthy of support but to make a charitable donation in someone's name truly meaningful, the most important thing is to find out what their favourite charity is. There are many to choose from including the Red Cross, Heart and Stroke, Cancer Society, churches and all welcome donations not just at Christmas, but any time of year.