For the past thirteen years, Saint Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church in Blackville has collected toys and clothing for local youth in need at Christmastime. Last year, the parish collected gifts for four children from three families. This year, they will be collecting for nine kids from 4 families. Families remain anonymous; tags are placed on a Christmas tree with the age, gender and size of the child marked. Once you take a tag, you purchase the gift, wrap it and return to the church with the original tag included. The tag contains an identifying code that ensures that the gift gets delivered to the correct child. As in previous years, Saint Andrews United Church has joined forces with Saint Raphael’s to collect gifts.  Tags will be available on December 10 and December 11.

Each family receives a Christmas food basket as well.  Financial contributions or non-perishable food items can also be donated. If you wish to donate a much needed turkey, please call John McCarthy at 843-2414 before December 18.

This community program is made possible by the parish, Blackville School who provides the names of the children in need, Blackville Foodland who donates food items and cash donations from their 50/50 draw, Sunny Corner Enterprises who offer financial support and various individuals.

If you have selected a tag already, gifts can be taken to the church on December 11th and 18th.

For more information, please call Cecilia Brophy at 843-2836 or John McCarthy at 843-2414.