What’s Happening: Charlottetown
In advance of the Christmas season, a new type of store materialized out of thin air in downtown Charlottetown. This store didn’t have any sales, however, or even prices at all. Instead, it was an innovative distribution point, providing Christmas gifts for families in need.
In the past, the store had been set up at The Salvation Army’s Charlottetown Community Church location on Fitzroy Street, but space was very much at a premium. This year, thanks to the donation of a vacant commercial space on Queen Street for the run-up to Christmas, the change was night and day, providing an abundance of space to spread out all of the Christmas toys.
“It’s an unbelievable change,” says Captain Jamie Locke, Corps Officer in Charlottetown. “We can display the toys in the manner that’s more eye-catching to those who come through and everyone can see what we have.”
Families in need register for support, and then are told to come in to the store front location. Once there, they are welcomed by tables of toys, spread broadly to make it easier to take it all in and hunt for the perfect items for their child. A change from the way distribution was done in the past in Charlottetown, Capt. Locke likes the idea of having each individual gift selected by a family member.
“Who knows their children better than the parents or guardians themselves?” he says.
Some additional highlights of activity in Charlottetown, include:
— On Christmas Eve, The Salvation Army is partnering with Cornerstone Baptist Church for a festive service at the Delta Prince Edward (18 Queen Street). The service will run from 6 – 7 p.m., but come early because the doors open at 5:15 p.m. with Christmas treats and carollers in the lobby. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted for The Salvation Army.
— On Boxing Day, basketball fans are encouraged to box up some non-perishables and support the Island Storm’s Stuff the Bus food drive. Prior to its 2 p.m. game against the Moncton Miracles, fans are asked to show up at the Eastlink Centre (beginning at Noon) to stuff the team’s bus full of food for The Salvation Army. All donors will be entered in a draw to win one of three pairs of VIP seats for an upcoming Storm game.
— This year’s Coats for Kids campaign in Charlottetown was another tremendous success. Organized by Downtown Charlottetown Inc., the campaign collects warm coats for children in need, has them cleaned through Sterns Laundry before they are given to The Salvation Army for distribution throughout the cold weather months. This year’s campaign collected over 800 coats.
