Truro Buzz

Events in Truro and Colchester County, NS

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CHRISTMAS CHARITIES

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Supporting our community means more than ever this year. Here are all the local charities helping to spread joy this Holiday Season. 

Colchester Christmas Index Program

Remember how excited YOU were on Christmas morning as a child? This year why not spread that joy to a child in need?

You, your family, or business can help make Christmas dreams come true for a child in need by donating to the Colchester Christmas Index Program.

Instead of exchanging gifts at the staff Christmas Party or family get together, why not sponsor a family, make a financial donation, or donate new unwrapped toys, clothing or gift cards? Gifts for teens are always in high need.

Through the Cobequid Children First Foundation, the Colchester Christmas Index Program exists to help families at Christmas time that may be facing financial challenges. Christmas can be a stressful time for families. We understand that there isn’t always extra money for special occasions like Christmas.

The Christmas Index Program is a cooperative effort of groups and individuals in Colchester County dedicated to providing assistance for those in need at Christmas time. The objective is to ensure that those needing assistance receive it. The ultimate goal is to match each family that requires assistance to a group, family, or individual.

Go to https://christmasindex.ca/index.php?pageid=1 to donate today!

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/christmasindex

Elves For Elders – United Way of Colchester

This year more than ever, some folks are feeling very isolated and separated from their family and loved ones. Be an Elf for a local Elder and help make this holiday season a bit brighter for someone special in our community!

This is all you have to do…

  1. Pick a gift from the Giving tree (Find the tree at the Truro Mall, United Way or Classic Rentals)
  2. Shop for the gift that you have chosen
  3. Deliver your new, unwrapped gift by December 10th to the United Way Office
  4. Feel great about helping your community!

Drop off location: United Way office by December 10th

90 Esplanade Street, Suite 2

902-895-9313

coordinator@colchester.unitedway.ca

https://www.colchester.unitedway.ca/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayCol

Coats For Kids – Maggies Place Family Resource Centre Colchester 

Thanks to the support of Wilson’s Heating, Maggie’s Place is receiving donations of new and gently used children’s winter coats. 

Ensure that every kid who needs a coat this year gets one. If you have a gently used kids coat that is no longer needed, you can drop it off at Maggie’s Place (Address below). If your child is in need of a coat this winter, common down and pick one out! 

Maggies Place

1027 Prince Street, Truro NS

902-895-0200.

colchester@maggiesplace.ca

http://www.maggiesplace.ca/

Colchester Food Bank

The Colchester Food Bank gives out hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to people in Colchester County each and every year. The food bank has thousands of clients on file and relies on the very generous support of the community for donations.

The Colchester food bank needs your donations now more than ever! Let’s help feed bellies this Christmas!

580 Prince Street, Truro, Nova Scotia

colfoodbank@eastlink.ca

902-893-4566

http://www.colchesterfoodbank.com/

Grocery Gift Cards – Above & Beyond Home Decor

Help bring Christmas to local families. 

Above & Beyond Home Decor is accepting $25 gift card donations from a local grocery store or drugstore. They will then donate these gift cards to Maggies Place and your name will be entered for a chance to win a Christmas gift basket valued at $300! Above & Beyond will also match your donations for up to $1000!

Above & Beyond Home Decor

49 Inglis Place Truro, NS

(902) 895-1445

aboveandbeyond@bellaliant.com

http://www.aboveandbeyondhomedecor.com/

Holiday Heros – Truro Police

Holiday Heroes 2020 is going to look different this year than in the past. One thing remains the same though, 60 local elementary students (nominated by their respective schools) along with their siblings, will be receiving gifts taken from their Christmas wish lists! 

In years past they depended upon the generosity of our local community members and small businesses and they were fortunate enough to be welcomed under the umbrella of the Christmas Index Program. This enabled them to really go big, to provide these kids and their families with an abundance of useful and exciting items. 

As a result of the current pandemic and its impact on our community, they have decided not to reach out for donations knowing this would greatly impact their budget. Fortunately, our community is a very supportive and generous one. Businesses, organizations, and individuals have begun reaching out wishing to contribute to the cause. They are now optimistic that they will be able to provide not only for the selected children and their siblings but potentially for some additional families in the community as well. 

If you would like information about how you could become a Holiday Hero helper or make a donation please email them at ourholidayheroes@gmail.com  

Donations have to be in by December 15th! 

Holiday Food Hampers – CEC

Each year Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC) supports students/families in need through the donation of holiday food hampers. Because of Covid-19, the school is limited in both resources and opportunities for generating revenue to support this important program. In 2020, instead of hampers, the school will be providing grocery gift cards to those who are identified.

CEC is accepting grocery gift cards or cash donations for those in need this Christmas!

Call the office to donate 902-896-5700

Christmas Card Drive for Seniors – Truro Buzz  

Since visiting our seniors is discouraged, we are organizing a Christmas card drive to brighten their holiday season!

Let’s bring our community together and gather as many Christmas cards as we can for our seniors in enhanced care facilities throughout Colchester County! 

Make a card, buy a card, get your kids involved, and create some fun art! Get your neighbors, co-workers, and friends involved! LET’S GET CREATIVE! 

Drop off locations:

Truro Buzz Hive – 802 Prince Street, #102 Truro NS

Truro Library 

Stewiacke Libray 

Tatamagouche Libray

We are accepting cards from now until December 18th!

Let’s put some smiles on our senior’s faces this holiday season!

Giving Tree – Truro Farmers Market 

You can find the giving tree at our local farmers’ market. 

How it works:

  1. Pull a tag – any tag from the tree
  2. Flip the tag over to see what someone at the shelter is wishing for this year
  3. Purchase the gift and bring it, unwrapped to the Hub House at 862 Prince Street by December 18th
  4. Celebrate the holidays knowing that someone’s season is brighter because of you!

Coat Exchange – Odd Fellows Liberty Lodge 

Liberty Lodge Tatamagouche has taken on the community Coat Exchange this year. You will find the coat rack at the entry to their Lodge on Main St.

“If you need a coat, take one.”

“If you have a coat, please leave one.”

245 Main Street, Tatamagouche, NS

Christmas at the Cafe – Souls Harbour Mission

Chritmas at the Cafe will look different this year as many things are.

They will be offering a take out Christmas Dinner with a stocking. Dinner will take place December 24th from 12pm – 2pm at Soul’s Harbour Mission at 130 King Street.

If you would like to make a donation to this event, please contact Aaron Stevenson (902) 305-3100 or aaron@adstevenson.com for more information

Food Bank Donations – Fundy Vets 

The Fundy Vets partners and staff recently decided to do something to help those in our communities who may need a hand during this 2020 holiday season.

From Dec 1st, to Dec 15th, Fundy Vets will match every monetary donation to our local food banks dollar-for-dollar, with a commitment up to $10,000!

If you’re as fired up as we are about helping out in our communities this holiday season, and you’re in a position where you can donate, go to this link on our website to give what you can: https://www.fundyvets.com/blog/fundy-vets-foodbank

More information can be found on their website about this important holiday initiative. http://www.fundyvets.com/

Truro Location 902-895-8195

Shubie Location 902-758-3180

Volunteers Needed!

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Our community needs your help! If you have any spare time this summer why not give a helping hand to some of our community in need. PLUS Volunteering looks fantastic on your resume! 

Below is a list of organizations in need:

Lotus center:

A form on the website to apply. Don’t have set hours for volunteers, but rather whatever time you can volunteer. Office open Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30, occasionally some special events in the evenings and weekends.
Sandi Dunbar- Administrative Assistant 902-895-4295 ext 1

SPCA:

Not currently looking due to COVID. But will need volunteers when they can bring new people into the building again. Typically 4-hour shift and no night shifts.

United Way:

Will be looking for workplaces or groups interested in helping with the Back to School Campaign. Help with school supply and backpack drives. Additionally this year they want to include masks for kids heading to the classroom. Last year they supported 300 students. Anyone interested can email ed@colchester.unitedway.ca

Truro Homeless Outreach Society:

Different positions are available. Each position has it’s the onset of requirements and duties. All volunteers must follow COVID policies.

Shelter Attendent: shifts are daytime, 6:30pm-12am and 12am- 8am.

Shift Manager: 6pm- 10pm on call until 12am. Must have 3 months experience in the shelter attendant position.

Meal Prep Volunteer: prepare meals for 16-20 people using what is available. Hours vary but generally 5 pm-7 pm. Meals can be prep ahead of time or off-site.

Cleaning and Maintenance Volunteer:

No set hours. Responsible for cleaning and maintenance to keep the house in good condition.

Donation Sorting Volunteer:

Day position. Sorting food, clothing, and personal hygiene donations.

Lead Donation Sorter:

Keep accurate and up to date inventory of all donations. Weekly or biweekly visit to the shelter.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Colchester:

Looking for individuals and couples to be “Bigs”. Have a new project that will be launching soon with all contact being virtual for those at higher risk of COVID. Can apply and get more info on the site. https://colchester.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/what-we-do/community-matching/

Slate Youth Centre:

Reopening in Sept with new COVID policies. Still a bit unsure of all positions that will need to be filled but will definitely need volunteers for after school and early evenings. Commitment is 8 hours/month as they are trying to limit the number of people coming and going. For more information contact crystal@slateyouth.ca.

Easy crafts at home!

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Jane Atkinson of the Colchester East Hants Public Library whipped up these great suggestions for keeping the kids (and adults) busy and creative at home!

At this time we all need help keeping our little ones occupied while isolated from friends and schoolmates. Here are some fun simple crafts and activities that can be made with things you probably
have at home.

  1. Using Up Those Empty Toilet Paper Rolls

Bunny Stencils

  1. Take 3 TP rolls and flatten 2 of them a bit to make an oval shape.
  2. Tape the 3 rolls together with the round one on the bottom with the two oval ones attached like large ears.
  3. Dip the end of this in the paint colour of your choice and press onto a sheet of paper. You’ll see the shape of a bunny’s head.
  4. Use different colours to make a lot of colourful bunnies!
  5. Using a marker or pencil, draw in the eyes nose, mouth and whiskers.
  6. You can colour or paint in grass around the bunny heads to make it look like they are in a field

Napkin Holder

  1. Take a TP roll and cut in half 
  2. Paint it with pretty colours or decorate it all over with markers.
  3. You can add glitter if you have it, or stickers/stick-on gems.
  4. Glue on frilly ribbon or lace – whatever makes them pretty!
  5. Slide a napkin through it and use at the supper table to glam it up!
  1. Cloud Dough (a sensory activity)
    1. Take 4 cups of flour in a large bowl and add ½ cup veg oil. 
    2. Mix until combined and holding together ( you may need to add extra oil depending on the dryness of the flour).
    3. Mold it to make your own creations. 
    4. Can store for one month in a plastic ziplock bag.

            (Another recipe calls for 2 cups cornstarch and about ¼ cup hair conditioner, which smells great!)

  1. Mandela Rocks
    1. In your backyard – or on a social distancing walk – find a smooth stone.
    2. Wash the rock and let it air dry. 
    3. You can paint a base coat with the colour of your choosing, or you can just add the Mandela dots to the natural surface
    4. Paint dots all over the stone using a variety of colours in a certain type of pattern or just do free painting.  It’s your unique creation!
  1. Monster/Animal Heads
    1. Using a cereal box or another type of cardboard box you might have on hand, cut out eyeholes that line up with your eyes when the box is put over your head (you may need an adult’s help with this).
    2. Use paint or markers to make a scary face or an animal face.
    3. Tape on shredded paper to the top of the box for hair or tape on antennae made from extra cardboard pieces.
    4. Have fun creating your own animal or scary monster head!
  1. Bow Tie Pasta Butterflies
    1. Use markers to colour bow tie pasta. Add designs on the pasta to look like colourful insects.
    2. Glue the pasta onto paper.
    3. Use a dark marker add antennae. 
    4. You can draw a scene around the butterflies and have them flying around flowers, etc.
  1. Window Painting
    1. Paint on your windows with washable paint to make a cheerful scene or message for your neighbours.