Community elves are busy finding ways to spread warmth and joy this holiday season.
Kids That Give is asking for new headphones to be given to young people living at Youth Haven, which is the only youth shelter in Simcoe County.
Founder Courtney Willis explains the group, which is made up of children and teens up to 17 years of age, has chosen the shelter as its first Christmas campaign.
“The members nominate and vote for the group they want to assist and in this case it became youth supporting youth," Wills said. "We found out there was a big need for headphones. As we thought about it, we realized that this would be like giving the young people the gift of privacy and individuality in a public atmosphere.”
Willis says headphones can help take people into their own little world.
“Imagine being in a place that is busy, with constant activit and where some of your choices are eliminated," she said. "If you have a headset, you can listen to your own music or podcasts and have a private moment.”
The group is asking for donations of new and unused headphones of various types and sizes to fit into a variety of devices.
If enough sets are donated, they will be offered to Youth Haven’s outreach programs throughout Simcoe County.
The deadline is Dec. 18.
There are two drop-off locations in Barrie, including Youth Haven at 22 Wellington St. E., and Simcoe County Family Dentistry at 11 Ferris Lane, Unit 301.
There are 100 registered members of Kids That Give. They meet twice a year and are required to donate $10 of their own money to donate to a charity or special cause twice a year.
Meanwhile, a local Barrie yarn shop is asking for donations of knitted or crocheted items to be donated to a number of organizations.
Eliza’s Buttons and Yarn has donated yarn to be handed out for free to any volunteer knitters or crocheters to make mittens, hats or scarves.
Owner Elizabeth Fallone says they’ve been doing this for seven years.
“We started to donate to Barrie and District Christmas Cheer and then it grew from there to include other organizations, Falone said. "They (crafters) are passionate and it is amazing how much they donate not wanting recognition. It feels good to do it.”
Hundreds of scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, socks and blankets will be given to Barrie and District Christmas Cheer, Senior Wish, Women and Children’s Crises Centre, and the David Busby Centre.
Yarn can be picked up and the finished product can be dropped off at the store at 250 Bayview Dr., Unit 2, in Barrie.
