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By Corey Fischer

Tears of Joy As Families Get Hampers

Dec 21, 2017 | 9:38 AM

There’s been lots of smiles — and even tears of joy — at the Vernon Salvation Army’s House of Hope this week.

Staff and volunteers have been distributing Christmas hampers and toys to about 500 families and people in need.

Lieutenant Stefan Reid says the recipients all got gift cards to buy food.

“It varies for family size and for individuals as well, but everyone who comes in here and applies for a Christmas hamper walks away with a minimum $50 gift card, and that provides them with a healthy Christmas meal,” Reid tells Beach Radio News.

The families with children also get toys from donations to the Santa Toy Club, run by Beach Radio Vernon.

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Reid says giving out the hampers is always enjoyable.

“We’ve had tears from people overwhelmed with the amount on the gift cards, and we’re happy we can provide a Christmas to them.”

Meantime, Reid says their Kettle campaign wraps up Saturday night.

It’s raised 311-thousand dollars, or 62 percent of the goal.

“We’ve had some larger donations in the last couple of days, and we’ve tried to put a push on people, just to get their last minute donations.”

Reid says $2,700 was raised at Walmart Saturday after the company matched kettle donations on that day.

He says the kettles will be outside stores until Saturday at 9 pm, with more volunteers needed to man them.

You can get more details at vernonhouseof hope.com.

by Corey Fischer

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