Warming hearts with pies

How we're sharing the Christmas spirit:Eight of the special-needs students in the program recently got together, peeled and sliced apples, mixed pie crust and baked 66 apple and saskatoon pies to be donated to Siloam Mission. And, as time permits, they are continuing to bake more with a goal of 100. The pie materials were donated by Sysco Winnipeg and Graham's Grove. "We had one parent, two teachers and four education assistants come in to help the students," said Linda Coombs, co-ordinator of the Bistro. "I said 'If you come, you can learn to put together a pie.' "

How you can help spread the Christmas spirit:Donate to worthy causes such as Siloam Mission so everyone has a chance to enjoy this special season.

Toys give kids holiday joy

Brian Cyncora, Executive director of the Manitoba Police CommissionCharity: Indian and Métis Friendship Centre's Christmas toy drive

How they're sharing the Christmas Spirit: "(My wife Terry and I) are sharing the Christmas spirit this year by helping those who are less fortunate, less privileged, by donating to the IMFC's toy drive. We find there's a large need for underprivileged kids in this community to receive gifts at Christmas time, and the IMFC runs an extremely good program for inner-city kids. Every year, they give about 500 gifts to children in the North End and... many of them get their only gift of that year at that event."

How you can help spread the Christmas spirit: Drop a new, unwrapped gift at Winnipeg Police Service centres across the city by the end of business today. They're at 151 Princess St., 210 Lyle St., 260 Hartford St., 1750 Dugald Rd., 1400 Henderson Hwy., 1086 St. Mary's Rd., and 1350 Pembina Hwy. Nancy Flett, the IMFC's assistant executive director, said they still need donations, so drop by today so hundreds of kids can celebrate the joy of receiving a present.

My Christmas wish: "I always believe in community service and my wish is that more people... with privilege, would contribute to serving the community on a volunteer basis, on a personal level, and to help those with lesser opportunities enjoy and partake in the positive holiday spirit.

Christmas Cheer Board

What they do:

THE Christmas Cheer Board is one of Winnipeg's oldest and most popular charities, supported by anonymous donations of time and money from 5,000 individuals and business people every year.

Founded in 1919 by Winnipeg churches, the board is community based and delivers Christmas hampers to needy families every year. The late Byrdye Beckel ran the charity for years; the face of the board these days is Kai Madsen and behind the scenes he's been with the board since the 1970s.

This year, 20,000 plus hampers, including presents and toys, were assembled.

Our Place Chez Nous Drop-In Centre Inc.

What they do:

OUR Place Chez Nous Drop-In Centre arose in 1987 when Sister Jane McDonald saw a need for people on Winnipeg's skid row, Main Street, to have a safe, restful place.

McDonald died in 2003 of breast and lung cancer, but her legacy lives on.

"A lot of people come here because they've got no place to go, because they've been barred from places," said Jackie Gushuliak, a volunteer treasurer at Our Place Chez Nous Drop-In Centre, which provides year-round supports to the homeless. The centre's main rule is that clients must be sober when they visit.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army

What they do:

A whole lot more than you bargain-shopped for. Launched in Canada in 1886, the Salvation Army is now the largest non-government provider of social services. There are more than 24 Sally Ann facilities in Manitoba, providing more than 35 programs ranging from five shelters for the homeless to support networks for refugees, new mothers and at-risk youth. Not to mention the jam-packed thrift shops.

Spirit of Giving

Manitoba Moose Yearling FoundationWhat they do:

FOR 14 years, The Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation has raised money for numerous children's charities in Manitoba. Whether it's presenting sick children with a new stuffed animal, orchestrating fundraisers at a Manitoba Moose hockey game, donating new equipment to the Children's Hospital, or raising money at a beer festival, the Yearling Foundation does it all.

Hopes for the holidays:

Children’s Hospital Foundation

What they do:

THE Children's Hospital Foundation is the corporate fundraising arm for Manitoba's largest children's hospital, responsible for $5 million worth of programs and services every year.

The funds are channelled to everything from music therapy and the hospital's in-house television station to the playrooms for children and seed money for pilot programs such as the Alcohol Syndrome Clinic, now a permanent clinic.

At Christmas, foundation staff take calls from families whose children have had the experience in other years of Christmas in a hospital bed.

The Good Food Club

What they do:

The Good Food Club has charitable status, but doesn't exactly give things away for free, since its low-income members put in sweat equity for their food. "It's a hand up rather than a handout," West Broadway Development Corp. executive director Molly McCracken said. The club helps its members "improve their lives and improve their resumés," she said. "Good Food Club is a place where people can get together and feel part of the community and supplement their standard of living."

Members pay a share going into the club. Each time they volunteer at the Wiens Shared Farm near St. Adolphe in the summer months, or help with monthly food box assembly, they earn points towards boxes of locally grown foods like tomatoes, carrots, parsnips, fruit, oats and honey.

"So there's a little more dignity in our program than other food banks," co-ordinator Tammy Klos said.

Agape Table

What they do

AGAPE Table offers low-cost meal and grocery programs to assist low-income Winnipeg residents.

It is a registered Canadian charity that helps single parents, expectant mothers, the unemployed, children, seniors and people with disabilities.

Agape Table is located at 175 Colony St., close to Broadway.

Spirit of Giving

West Broadway Community MinistryWhat they do:

BORN in the '60s, the West Broadway Community Ministry supported "young hippies" -- who outraged the public by camping at Memorial Park -- and gave them a place to share their experiences confidentially, eat and wash up.

Fast forward to 2010 and, while West Broadway is one of the city's poorer neighbourhoods, the WBCM continues to reach out to feed the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals and families in the neighbourhood. Aside from year-round outreach, WBCM is helping the needy make their own Christmas traditions.

Siloam Mission

Siloam Mission

What they do:

Since 1987, Siloam Mission has been providing programs and services for Winnipeg's homeless and less fortunate. The Christian-based humanitarian organization offers clothes, meals, employment training, health services and emergency shelters to those in need of help.

"The services provided are not just for the homeless, but also the working poor who cannot afford a meal," said Judy Richichi, director of development at Siloam Mission.

Koats for Kids

WHAT THEY DO:

Now in its 22nd year, United Way-led program Koats for Kids bundles kids up against the winter chill. "It's not just coats," says Eric Friesen, United Way's director of engagement. "It's mitts, toques, ski-pants... anything a kid needs to have in order to participate and be warm in the winter time."

HOPES FOR THE HOLIDAYS:

Outerwear's the name of the game, but the real benefit goes way beyond warmth.

Spirit of Giving: Urban Circle Training Centre

WHAT THEY DO:

FOR 20 years, the Urban Circle Training Centre has helped train aboriginal people with specific skills to prepare them for the job market.

This community-based organization promotes high school graduation, creates apprenticeship opportunities and helps develop important job and life skills for future employment. Child care, health-care training and teacher assistance programs are just a few of the courses offered at Urban Circle.

Self-love and improvement are also key components used when educating and training students. Counselling is available for those struggling with classes, finances or family.

Rossbrook House

What they do:

Rossbrook House creates safe spaces for children, teenagers and young parents. Promoting awareness about being on the streets and providing education in the community is developed in activities for people in alternative school programs. Rossbrook offers sports, arts and snacks for young people and encourages people to get involved with their charity.

Hopes for the holidays:

Faced with the reality of hardships for teenagers on the streets, Rossbrook House tries to make the holidays enjoyable.

Spence Neighbourhood Association

What they do:

When Santa makes his list and checks it twice, he needs an extra-long sheet of paper when he gets to the Spence Neighbourhood Association's activities.

The community development agency focuses on improving the inner city 12 months a year. Among its many good deeds, it keeps housing stock in the area affordable, improves security for apartment dwellers by installing deadbolts and peepholes, helps fix up rooming houses, connects neighbours with each other through workshops so they feel a sense of belonging and can watch out for each other, helps teen newcomers feel welcome, provides homework help for kids of all ages, finds work for people with disabilities or addictions, builds skill sets for job hunters and provides much-needed meals to the hungry.

Hope for the holidays: