i! Christmas

CHRISTMAS IN transition houses
is always a magical day, bul itis also
avery hard time for the wonten aad
children,

We ‘all want to spend Christmas
in our own homes with family and
friends. We all want to have the type
of Christmas portrayed on TV and
by the media.

So for families who have to leave
their homes because of abuse and
come to a transition house it is, to

*araphrase the words of Charles
Dickens, the best of times and the
worst of times. It is the season of
light. It is the scuson of darkness. It
is a season of hope. {tis the winter of
despair, We have everything before
use, We have nathing before us.

Children especially worry about
their dad being alone at Christmas,

how will he manage without us, they .

wonder, “How will Santa Claus find
us to fill our stockings? Mom says
she has no money for presents, No
presents for Christmas,” ask the chil-
dren.

What the children don’t know yet
is that the community opens its
hearts to the children and each year
they donate hundreds of beautiful
presents..,food, chocolates, candies,
flowers, money, gift certificates,
everything they could possibly hope
for! .* ‘

Enough to take care of everyone

« in the transition house and all the
families that have gone through the
house during the year who are in
need. :

I'd like to share with you a true
story about Christmas at a transition

“house. Let. your imagination follow

me there. oo,
You are standing outside a large

old house. It has seen better days and
as you walk inside you notice all the
furniture is old — mostly having
been donated, It is noisy. There is

lots of laughter and the house if full,

of women and children.

You know there are 42 people in
the house because you have counted
the stockings hung up around the big
living room. Thirty children and 12
mothers waiting for Santa.

Tomorrow. will be a big day. In

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PRAT Yee RAP OTE

na et tee

the afternoon there will be a party
and LOO moms and kids are coming.
Santa will came and maybe a clown
from the Shriners,

You bear one of the stalf duking
to the children's mom, “They said
they'd try to send one if they can,
They put the word oul bul most pea-
ple want to stay with their own fant
ilies on Christmas Day.”

find children

The children are in their pajamas
and their is a (Murry of teeth brushing
us they get ready lor bed. Everything
is ready for the big diy. Except for
one thing. You hear the wishes for
the Christinas tree that was supposed
to come but didn't arrive,

"We have to have a Christus
tree, Where will Santa put the pre-
sents?”

f
Y
9
zy

Free Photos
with Santa,

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PART BY:

As they are bundled off ta bed,
“mavhes you hear a little girl tell her
brather, “imayhe if we all imagine a
Christmas tree hard enough some-
one might bring one.”

Mom tells thent it will still be a
wonderful day without one,

Christmas ata transition house is

ransition?

in the minds of those who've partic.
ipated that there is such a thing as
the spirit of giving and for the chil-
dren that Christmas finds you wher-
ever you are!

Woyou wish to donate to this
year's Christmas party for the kids
apd moms please call us at 987-

iunamazing thing to participate in 1773.
and by the end of it, there is no doubt

a

FREE PHOTOS
WITH SANTA

Now to December 23.

KIDS CAN PUT THEM-

SELVES IN THE PICTURE

WITH THE BIG GUY,
NO CHARGE.

THE FIRST PHOTO WITH
ee SANTA IS FREE -
“Sa DONATIONS TO NORTH

SHORE NEIGHBOURHOOD
HOUSE ARE
GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED

SANTA‘S
SCHEDULE
DAILY
11:00AM - 1:00PM
2:00PM - 5:00PM

EVENINGS
6:20PM - 8:00PM

SUNDAYS
1:00PM - 4:00PM

te

Bx

Happy Christmas everyone!

ee eS PER Wath i ee gi

fe ot inveh iw ahi ‘ eee eee
Snare 2 EO ae oe a

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