Christmas is long over, but the gift giving continues as Beta Sigma Phi sorority chapters in North Bay determine who will benefit from the proceeds of the charity gift-wrap project held at Northgate Shopping Centre in December.
This year the gift-wrap raised just under $6,000 for charity.
This week a donation was made to the Trinity Infant Food Shelf, a volunteer effort at Trinity United Church that provides food and baby supplies for families with infants up to 12 months of age.
Members of one of the sorority chapters, Xi Alpha Zeta, delivered two hampers filled with flannel receiving blankets and face cloths, one of many donations to be made from the gift wrap proceeds this year.
“It is wonderful to help out such a useful program in our community that ensures infants get a good start,” commented Margie Howard, co-chair of the Beta Sigma Phi Charity Gift Wrap project. “We thank all the shoppers who came out to get their gifts wrapped in the mall at Christmas. Their generosity was amazing and as a result, we are able to support valuable non-profit services in our community.”
Each year the chapters of Beta Sigma Phi vote on which charity they will support with the gift-wrap proceeds. Just a few of the charities that have benefitted in the past include:
- the Gathering Place,
- North Bay Regional Health Centre,
- hospice project,
- women’s support services such as the Transition House and Amelia Rising and
- Operation Warmth.
Beta Sigma Phi has donated more than $200,000 to North Bay charities since beginning its gift wrap community service project 37 years ago.
Trinity Infant Food Shelf is open Wednesdays from 11:15 am to 1:15 pm at 111 McIntyre Street East in North Bay. The program offers baby food, diapers, wipes, snacks, formula and other baby supplies.
