Helping little monkeys in our community.

by British Columbia
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The Salvation Army Caring Place is partnering with Monkey Business Kids Boutique in an effort to raise and save funds for The Caring Place Sonia’s Cradle program.

The spirit of the Sonia’s Cradle program began in 2009, when a new front‐line worker at The Caring Place began collecting donated items for babies and toddlers that traditionally had been turned away due to a lack of storage space.

Sonia Nickle took it upon herself to collect the furniture, clothing, diapers and formula that were coming in, sort and store them and then distribute the items to families that she knew were in‐need. It didn’t take long for other community agencies to start networking with Sonia, and many families began to receive more help as a result of her efforts.

Sadly, onDecember 2, 2010, Sonia passed away suddenly. Staff members at The Caring Place, who had worked with her on the project, wanted to carry on Sonia’s work among local families to create a legacy in honour of this kind and generous woman. They named the program Sonia’s Cradle, and continue to this day fostering strong community partnerships and helping young families in‐need.

In Maple Ridge, 11.4% of families and 17.6% of children are living in poverty – that equates to over 3000 children struggling to have the proper food, shelter, clothing and basic necessities.  Sonia’s Cradle aims to support a small portion of these children with some of the basic needs.

Starting immediately, The Caring Place and Monkey Business Kids Boutique (11947 224th St., Maple Ridge) are collecting unwanted diaper and formula coupons with a month expiry date or longer, to be put towards the purchase of needed items for this program. You can drop off your coupons or donations of diapers or baby formula at Monkey Business, Tuesday through Sunday.

Sonia’s Cradle also operates a School Lunch Bag program for children in‐need. For more information on this, or The Caring Place, please contact Amelia Norrie at 604.463.8296 x 106.