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The count-down to Christmas has already begun! Chilly temperatures, stores displaying Christmas decorations, and some people even boasting that they have finished their Christmas Shopping!  

Sadly, some members of our community aren’t quite so fortunate. 

Time and time again, we in South Dundas have shown that we are a caring community. 

Through the combined efforts of local churches, church groups, community organizations, service clubs, businesses, schools and countless caring individuals, we have been able to help those in need, particularly during the Christmas Season. 

For the 23rd  consecutive year, the South Dundas Christmas Exchange is busy making plans to hopefully bring a bit of joy to those in need, and to make their Christmas a happier one. 

The mandate of the Christmas Exchange is, “to ensure that families in need are provided with the makings of a nice Christmas Dinner with some of the traditional trimmings”.

Again this year the Exchange will work closely with the South Dundas Food Bank to more  efficiently get Christmas Baskets to all those in need.

All of the Christmas Baskets will be supplied by the Christmas Exchange.  But because of the large number, it is impossible to do all of them at the Legion Hall. 

The co-operation of the local Food Bank in distributing those for singles has made this a more manageable task. Singles are reminded that they must register through the Food Bank.  Only family registrations will be accepted through the Hot Line 

The Hot Line will be in operation from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, from November 14th to 25th.   As this is a private line, donated by one of our local Churches, those registering are asked to please not call this number other than the times and days specified. The Hot Line number is 613-543-2005. 

For singles wishing to register with the Food Bank, the number there is 613-543-0065.

Although the Christmas Exchange will be providing a well stocked Christmas Dinner Basket, some families will require additional assistance. These families can contact the Food Bank to discuss their special needs with the co-ordinator.

Receiving a Christmas Basket will not disqualify any Food Bank client from receiving their regular assistance, but will simply try to make Christmas a bit special for them and their family. 

The Morrisburg Lions Club is again sponsoring Angel Trees, which will be located at the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Bank of Montreal in Morrisburg, and at SDS Kerr/Beaver Dental. 

In Iroquois, Sandra Johnston will co-ordinate the Angel Tree at the Bank of Montreal.  Watch for the Angel Trees later in November.  Remember to return all gifts by the date specified. 

The gifts and toys collected will be distributed through the Christmas Exchange, along with the Christmas Dinner Baskets, at the Morrisburg Legion on December 22nd, 2012, between 10 a.m. and noon. 

Those who wish to make financial donations, for which Tax Receipts will be issued,  may send cheques to: The South Dundas Christmas Exchange, P.O. Box 450, Morrisburg, ON.     K0C 1X0 

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One of the concerns by parents and students of the proposed closure of Seaway District High School by the Upper Canada District School Board is the longer bus routes and transportation times. In the board’s […]

A woman facing the trauma of cancer and the often harsh effects of chemo and radiation therapy already has a lot on her mind. Particularly devastating for many women is the loss of their eyebrows and hair, and the subsequent alteration in their appearances. 

Look Good Feel Better is devoted to helping women combat the toll cancer can take by helping them to learn how to maximize their looks as they heal. 

“If you don’t feel good, it’s harder to heal,” said Joanne Notman, who has been a volunteer with Look Good Feel Better workshops for seven years. “Women, especially cancer victims, need the morale boost of looking their best.”

The two hour work shops are designed to work with women, one on one, so they can learn tricks about how to minimize hair loss, puffiness, dry skin, and how to cope with nail issues, all of them by-products of cancer treatments. The workshops give women a chance to share and relax, to try on wigs and experiment with make up secure in a private and supportive atmosphere.

“When I attend a workshop,” Notman explained, “I find the participants are always amazed at the quality and quantity of the goods they receive for free. Each work shop has a team leader (Notman is a leader) and a group of cosmetic advisors. These advisors are all volunteers and are all in the cosmetic business.”

“There are three aspects to each workshop,” Notman explained. “Makeup and skin care, nail care and the hair portion. We also talk with women about what to expect as they undergo treatments so that the changes they face are easier to bear.”

The Look Good Feel Better movement began in the United States about 20 years ago, when an oncology nurse witnessed women, devastated by the changes in their appearances, essentially “dropped” once their medical treatments were finished. The idea of workshops to help them cope took hold.

In Canada, the program is sponsored by the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. 

Each participant in a workshop receives a complimentary kit of products donated by this group, all of them designed for traumatized skin. 

“There is even a workshop held at CHEO,” Joanne explained, “for teenage girls who are undergoing treatments.  The teenagers, we’ve found, are less concerned with the whole background program. They just want to get into the makeup,” Joanne laughed, “but then what girl doesn’t?” 

There are already workshops held in Ottawa and Kingston. And now Winchester District Memorial Hospital also holds a free workshop bi-monthly.

The free workshops at WDMH are held every other month, with the next one scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, in the afternoon. Women of any age can register, whether they are currently undergoing treatment, or will be starting therapy. The number is 613-774-2420, extension 6792.

Joanne Notman believes that the Look Good Feel Better program  is of great value to women facing the trials of cancer.  

“If we can make a woman (and her family too) feel happier and more confident, then it’s all worth it. I call Look Good Feel Better my charity of choice. I love it.”

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