2009 Holiday family program

Gifts For All Seasons.

 
As the holiday season approaches, we are filled with a renewed spirit of generosity and hope.  We have lived through the challenges of the last year that caused considerable anxiety for all of us, and our hope is that next year will be a better one

The reality is the YWCA of Calgary is still dealing with its fallout: donations are down, while abuse and homelessness have gone up.  So for many Calgarians, their recession is actually far from over. 
And without you, it will only get worse.

Given the magnitude of the challenges that still lie ahead; the time has come for us to invent new ways of supporting one another.  This Gifts of all Seasons booklet is our way of asking you to stand side-by- side with us — 365 days of the year, 24-hours a day.

This booklet gives us the flexibility as an organization to deal with our ongoing needs in a practical manner.
 
This year the Holiday Family Program will focus on monetary donations that will support the immediate care of women and their children through the provision of basic needs and service and program delivery.

We do have a sincere appeal as to the type of donations we are requesting this year.  Although gift cards are a wonderful idea in theory, in practice, they do cause a significant administrative and accounting burden on our organization. Without getting into details, they are very difficult for us to manage, and therefore we are requesting that you instead consider sending cash donations, which allows us to tailor your donations to our clients’ exact needs more effectively.

It is in this spirit that our entire team of the YWCA of Calgary joins me in wishing you and your families, a year filled with promise and possibilities.

Jill Wyatt, CEO
YWCA of Calgary