Need help this holiday season? Organizations help make Christmas brighter

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Being a student with a limited budget can be especially challenging during Christmas. The excitement of the season can lead even the thriftiest among us to spend more than we planned.

To avoid putting your finances and your education at risk, be a little creative about inexpensive gift giving. Perhaps you can give of your time — make a meal, shovel a sidewalk, run errands for a friend — or make something by hand.

Remember, it is the thought that counts; your friends and family would not want you to jeopardize your education for a few gifts. If you need a little extra help with gifts and groceries this Christmas, there are community agencies which can assist you.

Christmas Help 2014

Salvation Army
Phone: 403-346-2251
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Deadline: Applications accepted between Nov. 12-Dec. 12
Required:  Picture ID and AB Health Care numbers
Bring in wish list & a list of income and expenses, including current rent receipts and utilities
Who can apply: Residents of Red Deer only. Single or dual parents with children and seniors

Sylvan Lake Christmas Bureau
Phone:403-887-5364
Hours of operation: Friday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to
12 p.m. & 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Deadline: Please call to inquire. Deadline is early.
Required:  AB Health Care cards for all family members
Who can apply: Residents of Sylvan Lake and the surrounding area, must have children

Lacombe Christmas Food Certificate Fund
Phone: 403-782-6637
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. (closed 12:30-1:30)    (closed for lunch 12:30 to 1:30)
Deadline: Fill out a Santas Anonymous application for kids under 14 from Nov.5th to Dec. 11th
Required:  Income Tax notice of  assessment, AB Health Care cards for all family members
Who can apply: Residents of Lacombe and the County of Lacombe

Women’s Outreach  
Phone: 403-347-2480
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Deadline: Go to the Women’s Outreach to fill out an
application by Dec. 9
Required:  AB Health Care cards for all family members, proof of income
Who can apply: Single parent (Mom or Dad) and they do not restrict to Red Deer residents
Children must be with parent at Christmas (MUST BE FIRST TIME USERS ONLY)

Innisfail Christmas Bureau
Phone: Jane at 403-505-0168  (Telephone  applications will not be accepted)
Hours of operation:    Mondays  from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Deadline: Dec. 15
Required: AB Health Care card, proof of Innisfail residency (ex. utility bill), proof of  income
Who can apply: Residents of Innisfail and surrounding area

Red Deer Christmas Bureau
Phone: 403-347-2210 (Telephone applications will not be accepted)
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
Deadline: Go to Bay 15, 7428-49 Ave  from Nov. 12  to Dec. 17
Required:  AB Health Care card, proof of income, and proof of residency
Who can apply: Residents of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Springbrook and Penhold