2009 In Review - EYC's 10th Annual Share The Warmth Tree

Continuing from the end of 2009, I'll be posting some articles that were written over the past 12 months about the events and accomplishments of the EYC last year. I hope to post them in chronological order just to show all the awesome things youth have done down here at the centre.

The following was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in November:

EYC Provides Warmth For The Holidays
By Marc Rocheleau

Scarves and gloves aren’t commonly used as Christmas decorations but for a decade, one organization has embraced the idea.

For the 10th year in a row, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) is collecting winter clothing for its Share The Warmth Tree. Instead of using garland, ornaments and tinsel, EYC members are decorating with warm apparel that will be donated to those in need.

“We ask the youth and anyone in the community to bring in and decorate our tree with hats, mitts, gloves, socks and scarves,” said EYC Executive-Director, Sandy Larivee. “What we do with that is we provide these items to the [Essex Area] Food Bank for the Christmas hampers. It’s a way to make sure that kids in need stay warm over the winter months.”

Although many charities collect canned goods during the holidays, Larivee wanted to do something different. The tradition has taught members to give to the community and, while food is in demand at the food bank, Larivee believes these clothing pieces are needed from the public as well.

“Anybody can donate, we look forward to community donations,” she said. “They can come in and check out the tree and put their own decorations up. It’s really a goodwill gesture on everybody’s behalf.”

EYC will be accepting donations during their hours of operation until December 15, at which point they’ll deliver the items to the food bank. For further information, those interested can either visit EYC’s website at http://www.essexyouthcentre.ca/ or call them at 519-776-9000.

Located beside the Essex Youth Centre behind Essex District High School, Essex Area Food Bank provides food and essential items for hundreds of people in the county year-round. With Christmas being their busiest time, the food bank is thankful for any help it can get.

“The tree looks absolutely wonderful,” said Larivee. “The food bank’s very grateful for the donations.”