Giving guide 2007

>> A few ideas of where to send
some spare holiday bucks

by PATRICK LEJTENYI

While everyone is gearing up for the last big shopping, feasting and generally going insane push of the year, many people in this city aren’t as fortunate. Spare a few bucks if you can to help out some worthy causes and charities. Here are a few.

Herstreet/Rue des femmes The Chinatown-based shelter for street women and women in distress recently opened Olga House, a 23-bed short-term stay facility, and Dahlia House, a 13-studio-apartment, longer-term home. But they still need a lot of basics for their charges, who include children. In particular, they’re asking for warm clothes, especially coats (and especially in large sizes), boots, dry foods and of course money. Send any cheques to Herstreet/La rue des femmes, 1050 Jeanne-Mance, H2Z 1L7. Next Monday, Dec. 10, they’ll be launching ABCd’Art, an illustrated dictionary written by women staying at the shelter. With around 450 entries, the book contains the women’s own definitions of common words that offer a different interpretation than one you’ll find in Larousse. The launch takes place at the SAT (1195 St-Laurent, 5–7 p.m.).

Homeless shelters The city’s three biggest—the Old Brewery Mission, the Welcome Hall Mission/Bon Accueil and the Maison du Père—are in financial straits, so much so that there were questions as to whether they’d be able to operate over the winter. The recent news is so-so. After meeting with provincial Health Minister Phillippe Couillard, the three shelters were given $1.035-million in additional funding, enough to keep the doors open, but less than a third of what they were seeking. While they are cautiously optimistic about government promises for the future, says the Old Brewery’s James Hughes, Montreal’s shelters still operate on a shoe-string budget compared with other cities. So they need money. They’re also accepting canned foods and warm clothes, as long as they are in good shape. “All we ask is, please give to us the kind of clothing you’d wear yourself,” says Hughes. To contact the Old Brewery, call (514) 788-1884 or visit www.oldbrewerymission.ca; the Welcome Hall Mission/Bon Accueil, (514) 523-5288, www.mbawhm.com; the Maison du Père, (514) 845-0168, www.maisondupere.org.

Keith and Karyn Now in its seventh year, siblings Keith and Karyn Lewis’s annual Christmas Day Free Caribbean Dinner and Toy Giveaway will once again grace the Caribbean Paradise Restaurant in LaSalle (8080 Newman). Along with a hot meal and music courtesy of Michelle Sweeney, Skipper Dean and the Soul Stream Band, Santa Claus will be handing out goodies. This year, the pair aims at serving 1,000 meals, including take-outs for the elderly and the house-bound. The whole event will be broadcast live on CKUT 90.3 FM. But they do need help: a $20 donation will feed a family of four, and they are accepting food, clothing, hygiene products, toys and books. E-mail keithandkaryn@videotron.ca for more info.

Yellow Door Café The McGill-ghetto institution has been around for 40 years now, and its elderly project for 35. Designed to combat isolation among downtown’s seniors, the program organizes and assists its 130-or-so clients with daily chores, doctor’s visits and groceries, as well as time for friendly drop-ins. They need money more than anything (but could use a spare laptop), so drop them a line at (514) 398-6243, or visit them at www.yellowdoor.org.

AIDS Community Care Montreal ACCM has been providing care for people living with HIV/AIDS and prevention awareness for Montreal’s English-speaking community for 20 years now. While they’ll be throwing a couple of parties this month for their members, they’ll also be operating their drop-in centre and year-round garage sale as usual. They’re accepting money, as well as household goods and electronics. You can donate through their Web site (www.accmontreal.org) or get in touch with them at (514) 527-0928 to arrange a pick-up. Don’t be alarmed by the “scary” message at the 527 number, says ACCM’s Mark Hapanowicz—their current building is currently closed due to structural issues, but they will return messages.

Dans la rue With their annual fundraising drive launched this week, themed “No Love, No Chance,” the street-kid service needs a lot of help to keep up with their 150 clients who visit them every day. Offering everything from a meal to a bed to counselling, Dans la rue has helped hundreds of kids get off the streets and back into society. The programs aren’t cheap though, so they’re hoping to raise $2.5-million to keep things going. Donations can be made by phone (514) 526-5222, by mail (Le Bon Dieu dans la rue, 895 de la Gauchetière W., Level 90, Suite 220 H3B 5K3) or online (www.danslarue.org).